Source: Williamson Herald Sports
After falling in penalty kicks at Independence High School in the District 12-AAA final, the Nolensville girls' soccer team turned the tables Wednesday night, grabbing the Region 6-AAA championship crown with a tightly-contested 2-1 victory behind two goals from sophomore sensation Madeline Padelski.
"It is really exciting to claim a (Class) AAA championship in our second year of AAA," said Padelski, who scored twice in a second half flurry and also tallied the lone goal in a 1-0 overtime win at Ravenwood on Monday in the region semifinals. "We were all pretty upset after that district game, especially since it came down to PKs. We came out here and knew we wanted to win this."
Padelski was honored this week by making the Team USA under-16 team for girls soccer as well.
"It has always been my dream since I was a little kid," Padelski said of the national honor. "I am glad all the work I have been doing since then, people have seen it and understand it."
Nolensville coach Eric Shelton said it's a "real treat" to work with the young star.
"We can count on her to rise to the occasion every time she puts on a Nolensville jersey," Shelton said. "She is just a special athlete and plays with such determination and grit. You can almost see her flip a switch when she wants to take over a game at some point.
"It happened a couple of times tonight where she created some runs on her own."
Nolensville struck first 10 minutes into the second half Wednesday with a shot just outside the 18 by Padelski, but Independence answered immediately.
The Eagles evened the score in the 52nd minute on a shot by senior Georgia Deeds from the right that looped over Nolensville goalkeeper CeCe Szopa.
Just 42 seconds later, Padelski netted her second goal on the counter attack with a shot from long distance up the middle to cap the back-and-forth scoring spree early in the second half.
"Our connections are working to create opportunities," Padelski said.
Independence had several opportunities and tried to tie in the final minute, but could not capitalize as Nolensville closed down the lanes to take the region crown.
"It is something that is missing in our trophy case for sure – a AAA region championship," Shelton said. "It is the second time here for this opportunity, and tonight we capitalized. I am super proud of the effort. It is always tough when this is the third time we have played them this year. Both teams played with pride and something to prove."
Independence head coach David Cordero was pleased with his team's effort in the match, despite the loss. The Eagles were playing in just their second region final in program history.
"They have been banged up a good bit, but they kept on trucking all season," Cordero said of his girls. "For them to continue to play this hard and with this much will in the postseason is awesome."
Both teams advance to the Class AAA Sectional round. Independence will travel to the winner of the Station Camp versus Gallatin Region 5-AAA championship on Saturday with a state tournament berth on the line.
"We got to see Station Camp for a half in the preseason before lightning took us out," Cordero said. "We have not seen Gallatin in a long time. Hopefully our girls will be ready."
Both teams could not break through in the first half of the contest Wednesday as the defenses stood tall. Nolensville senior Szopa and Independence sophomore goalie Presley Covey made some crucial stops to keep the match scoreless through 40.
"She is amazing and I do not know what we would do without her," Padelski said of Szopa. "CeCe, along with our defense, helps stop all the goals, and I am really grateful for her."
"She (CeCe) is a composed keeper and has a lot of confidence in herself and her abilities," added Shelton. "That comes from incredibly hard work. She does not take any days off. CeCe has confidence in herself and is able to perform in big situations."
Covey came away with two saves in that PK win last week. She was strong again in goal, Cordero said.
"She has pace that very few players have and good ball control," he said. "When she has that confidence to go to goal, it is so hard to stop her. Nine out of 10 times it goes into the back of the net, if she has that opportunity."
Nolensville will host the runner-up in the Region 5-AAA championship match between Saturday as the Knights try to make the state stage for a fourth consecutive season.
"It is going to have to be another incredible effort," Shelton said. "It does not get easy when you are coming out of this district, region, or sectional game. Our game is decided by who finishes at the right moment, who executes and brings passion to the game. Hopefully we got another one in us."