Rhea Middle Opens 2-0 With Wins over Ocoee and Chilhowee

August 2022

Evensville, TN -- The Rhea County Girls soccer team kicked off their regular season with two decisive wins. In the first game they faced Ocoee Middle School who won the district championship last season. Rhea country dominated right from the start with a goal from 6th grader Madison Smith, and two goals from 8th grader Molly Hughes and a final goal from 8th grader Jetta Sharp in her first ever soccer game.

In the second half goals from Lilah Sullivan off an assist from Baylynn Butler, a bullet shot from the edge of the 18 by Madison Smith and a beautiful one touch goal from Lidia Butt off and assist from Blakeli Graham cemented the win with a final score of 7-0.

Ocoee recorded no shots on goal which is a testament to Rhea county’s back line of Peyton and Keira Graham, Stephany Eakins and Lidia Butt. This is the first win in a long time against Ocoee. Coach Audrey Norman said that the win was very satisfying and it was great to see how much the girls have improved.

Team captain Avery Dyer said “I was so proud of how our team worked together. We could've gotten too confident, but we played hard through the whole game.”

In their second game Rhea County played against Chilhowee Middle School and won 9-0 on their home turf. Hat tricks were recorded by Molly Hughes and Emerson White as well as a goal from Kiera Graham and a goal from Jetta Sharp which finished off the first half with the Eagles leading 8-0. In the second half Rhea county focused on possession and improving their passing. With about six minutes remaining Grady Sue Parker lifted a ball over the goalie for her first career goal which ended the game.

by Mark Palmer