Bearden HS Soccer

Click here to view the epic end of year video produced by Brian Ford and Elastic Pictures (https://elasticpictures.com).

AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Bearden 0 Ravenwood 0 Overtime (5-3)

Friday, May 24 1:30 CT

MURFREESBORO–Junior goalkeeper Logan Nelson had a block and a goal in the penalty kick shootout Friday to go with his 100 minutes of scintillating keeper play to lead Bearden over Ravenwood 0-0 (5-3) and win the school’s sixth AAA State Championship at Richard Siegel Soccer Stadium.

The shootout was necessitated after the two powerhouse teams played to an intense 0-0 deadlock following eighty minutes and two ten-minute overtime periods. The Bearden forwards kept countering the dangerous Raptor offense behind Jack Raulston’s determined, powerful shots and Dillon Sims’ skillful advances into the corners. 

Noah Price once again provided spark in the midfield, as did Wylder Lee up top, not to mention the ice water in their veins as the two unlikely P.K. shooters coolly stepped up and buried their shots in round three and four of the shootout to set up Nelson’s heroics. 

The Bulldog ‘bend but don’t break’ backline stepped up big time. Shawn Spencer was a beast on the outside, and Nic Prins flashed his speed running down the Ravenwood forwards. Shepard McMurray continued his strong inside play, and Cole Stopka always seemed to be in the right spot with his volley clears and headers.

Starters Aidan Ainsworth, Lucas Ford, Ahmed Dkhiri, and Preston Ford were integral in the winning effort, and Jack Tirgrath, Omar Hewezi, and Omar Ardahji provided much-needed relief throughout the hard-fought contest.

But the day belonged to the game MVP Nelson, and the Hollywood ending. Just before the shootout, Coach Ryan Radcliffe told his All-State keeper, “You got us here to the P.K.’s, now go win it for us!”

Said Nelson, “As soon as I got the block, I knew I had to put my shot in the back of the net! This is the best graduation present you could have for these seniors, who deserve it so much!” 

Goals: none.

P.K. Shootout:

Bearden             11111 = 5

Ravenwood     1110x = 3

JACK RAULSTON (made), DILLON SIMS (made), NOAH PRICE (made), WYLDER LEE (made), LOGAN NELSON (made) - Bearden wins shootout 5-3.

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 16/6 RHS 18/10.Corners: BHS 6 RHS 6. Fouls: BHS 7 RHS 14. Offsides: BHS 1 RHS 0. Conditions: grass soccer pitch, cloudy, 72 degrees. Records: BHS 21-3-1 RHS 18-4-2.

Outside the box………Nelson executed a perfect cartwheel and backflip to celebrate his clinching P.K. goal………Don’t burn those white jerseys! Bearden won their last four games on their way to the State title wearing those white uniforms with the impossible-to-read numerals………Woof!

AAA STATE SEMI-FINAL (elimination)

Bearden 1 Hendersonville 0

Wednesday, May 22 7:50pm CT

MURFREESBORO–Forget Brentwood, Houston, Hardin Valley and all the other frontrunners, it’s the hard-working Bearden Bulldogs going to the TSSAA AAA State Championship Friday to play for the program’s sixth title.

After a 3 hour 20 minute lightning delay, lightning struck again just eight minutes into resumption of play when Dillon Sims struck paydirt on a brilliant Aidan Ainsworth quick attack and cross into the box, giving Bearden a 1-0 lead over Hendersonville they would not relinquish.

Hendersonville’s quick-closing midfielders challenged the Bulldogs, but Jack Raulston’s punishing play and surgically placed passes from the midstripe to Sims and Ainsworth kept the Commandoes defenders on their heels. When Hendersonville did manage to slow down the Bulldog attackers, Lucas Ford’s piercing long-distance throw-ins to the box gave them no respite.

The Commandoes certainly did not go down without a fight as they mounted seven dangerous second-half shots, four on goal–stopped, of course, by the diving, smothering, and perhaps omniscient goalkeeping of Logan Nelson. 

Any encroachments deep into the defensive eighteen were rudely rejected by Shepard McMurray’s anticipatory explosiveness and Cole Stopka’s volley clears and headers.

Junior midfielder Noah Price’s awesome slide tackle clear late in the game was indicative of the relentless effort put forth by the entire Bulldog squad. Spent bodies, exhaustion, and total exhilaration were evident and celebrated by all post game.

Next up for the Dawgs, the big one–a stadium date with local favorite Ravenwood for all the marbles – ’nuff said!………Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

“Pity the soul who never enters the arena with greatness on the line!” -anon. 

Goals: DILLON SIMS (12’ assist-Aidan Ainsworth).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 14/4 HHS 14/8.Corners: BHS 1 HHS 4. Fouls: BHS 8 HHS 4. Offsides: BHS 5 HHS 0. Conditions: Field #4 artificial turf pitch, wet, cool, 68 degrees. 

Outside the box………congrats to the Seniors, as Bearden actually travels back to Knoxville for tonight’s graduation ceremonies, then back to Murfreesboro bright and early for the big game………play was suspended just four minutes into the game because of the storms………Ravenwood defeated Chattanooga Howard 2-0 Wednesday………once the storms subsided, it became a very pleasant evening, with a second half full moon peeking through the dark clouds………Woof!

AAA STATE QUARTER-FINAL (elimination)

Bearden 4 Walker Valley 0

Richard Siegel Soccer Complex-Murfreesboro

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 4:30pm CT

MURFREESBORO–Dillon Sims scored two goals and assisted another to lead Bearden over an outmatched Walker Valley 4-0 Tuesday, and earn a rematch with Hendersonville in the State Semi-finals on Wednesday. 

The Bulldogs took control from the outset as they relentlessly mounted attacks against the Mustangs with Nic Prins’ lethal crossing passes, Jack Raulston’s midfield attacks, and constant pressure on the flank from Sims, who scored the opening and closing goals to run his season total to a team-leading sixteen dingers.

Sophomore Omar Ardahji settled fellow soph Aidan Ainsworth’s rebound and scored in close to give Bearden a 2-0 cushion they would take to the break, then the streaking Ainsworth scored his fifth playoff goal in the second half to give Bearden a comfortable 3-0 lead with 26:22 remaining. Omar Hewezi assisted Sims’ second goal late in the game for the final 4-0 margin.

Shepard McMurray had another solid performance protecting down low, Preston Ford was solid in the midfield, highlighted by a nifty steal and reversal, and immaculate GK Logan Nelson was business as usual in securing the Bulldogs’ eleventh shutout. Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

Goals: DILLON SIMS (9’ assist-Jack Raulston); OMAR ARDAHJI (28’ Aidan Ainsworth); AIDAN AINSWORTH (54’ Dillon Sims); DILLON SIMS (71’ Omar Ardahji).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 20/13 WV 8/4.Corners: BHS 5 WV 1. Fouls: BHS 5 WV 4. Offsides: BHS 0 WV 0. Cards: BHS (‘72). Conditions: artificial turf soccer pitch, hot & sunny, 85 degrees.

Outside the box………Bearden lost to Hendersonville 2-1 back on March 15 in their season opener………other State results Tuesday: #2 Ravenwood upset #1 Houston 3-2, Howard over Science Hill 1-0, and Hendersonville over Rossview 3-2………the oversized cicadas and the heat were formidable opponents on the pitch Tuesday………Woof!

AAA STATE SECTIONAL (elimination)

Bearden 1 at Dobyns-Bennett 0

Saturday, May 18, 2024 12 Noon

KINGSPORT--Aidan Ainsworth scored just before halftime, and Bearden held undefeated Dobyns-Bennett scoreless, to secure a spirited and bruising 1-0 road win at Indian Highland Park, sending the Bulldogs to their sixth consecutive State Tournament appearance in Murfreesboro.

 After an intense first half with both sides challenging each and every play, Bearden finally connected when Lucas Ford found Jack Raulstondown the right side on a quick throw-in, who slipped it to Ainsworth in close for a score with 3:26 left in the period. The blonde-headed sophomore now has four clutch goals in the last five playoff games.

                Shepard McMurray was rock-solid at middle back, Nic Prins and Noah Price were disrupters on both sides of the midstripe, and Dillon Sims continuously and fiercely pushed the ball deep into Bearden’s offensive zone. Sophomore Ahmed Dkhiri had a crucial clearing save in front of the goal during the last frenetic minutes of the game. Logan Nelson again met the challenge in goal with fearless smothers, punches, and interceptions, getting the shutout with six tough saves and several bruises.

Bearden now plays Walker Valley (14-9-0) out of Cleveland, TN on Tuesday. The Mustangs beat Rockvale 2-1 (2OT) Saturday to qualify for State, and had earlier playoff wins over East Hamilton 2-1 and Cleveland 2-2 (2OT). They lost to Howard Tech 0-1 (OT) in the Region Final. No matter the records, when you get to Murfreesboro, the pressure and intensity ramps up considerably, so tighten those seat belts! Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

Goals: AIDAN AINSWORTH (37’ assist-Jack Raulston, Lucas Ford).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 22/9 DB 12/6.Corners: BHS 5 D-B 2. Fouls: BHS 13 D-B 11. Offsides: BHS 3 D-B 0. Yellow Cards: BHS 1 D-B 1. Conditions: grass pitch, wet, clearing skies, 77 degrees. Attendance: 458. Records: BHS 18-3-1 D-B 15-1-2.

Outside the box………on the Men’s side, Coach Ryan Radcliffe has now reached the State Tournament 7 of the last 8 years, compiling an 11-4 record with two Championships (and counting), and in case you didn’t know, Coach Rad won a State Championship ring himself back in 2006 as an All-State midfielder for the Bulldogs………the referee stopped play early in the second half and called the D-B Athletic Director over to settle down the home crowd………other State quarterfinals are Hendersonville/Rossview, Science Hill/Howard, and Ravenwood/Houston………conspicuously absent from the field are Brentwood, who was eliminated by Hendersonville 6-5 in overtime and earlier in the season had been touting their consecutive undefeated streak, and heavily-favored Hardin Valley, who was sent packing by Science Hill at home 4-2………Woof!

REGION 2 FINAL (non-elimination)

Hardin Valley Academy 1 at Bearden 0

Thursday, May 16, 2024 7pm

The Bulldog’s path to the State Tournament will now go through Kingsport, as they hit the road to play Dobyns-Bennett after falling to Hardin Valley 1-0 Thursday in the Region 2 Final at Bearden.

The Hawks scored midway through the first half on a keeper-assisted breakaway down the left side. The visitors kept Bearden on their heels early with nine first-half shots, eight on goal. The second half saw the visitors bunker down as the Bulldogs struggled to find open shots.

Bearden will now play 15-0-2 Dobyns-Bennett in an early noon matchup Saturday with a trip to Murfreesboro on the line. D-B’s two ties were against Page 0-0 and Greeneville 1-1, and they defeated Maryville 3-2, Elizabethton 4-0 in addition to actually beating a ten-loss Science Hill team four times 2-0, 1-1 (P.K.s), 2-1 and 2-1. By comparison, Bearden won decidedly versus Greeneville 6-0, Maryville 4-2, Elizabethton 7-1 and Science Hill 2-0.

The Bulldogs’ State Tournament goal is ripe for the taking–win Saturday and book your ticket to the Big Dance! Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

Goals: HVA-Brady Hammer (19’ assist-Adam Leonard).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 6/2 HVA 12/10. Corners: BHS 4 HVA 5. Fouls: BHS 10 HVA 8. YellowCards: BHS#8 (25’), BHS#11 (51’), HVA#13 (78’). Conditions: fast, clear, 72 degrees. Attendance: 542. Records: BHS 17-3-1 HVA 19-2-1.

Outside the box………former All-Stater and State Champ Everett Hauser (2019) was on the sideline Thursday cheering on the Bulldogs………Woof!

REGION-2 SEMI-FINAL (elimination)

at Bearden 2 Halls 0

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 6pm

‘Survive and advance’ is the mantra come playoff time, and Bearden did just that as they eventually solved the tenacious Halls defense and occasional dangerous attacks in a well-earned 2-0 victory Tuesday. The win vaults the Bulldogs into Saturday’s Sweet 16 Sectional round with a State Tournament berth in Murfreesboro on the line. 

The first half saw Bearden unable to find net as they mounted numerous attacks, only to be bottled up by the fast-closing Red Devils. One minute before intermission, the Dawgs escaped a vicious shot-on-goal by the visitors that was spectacularly stopped by a leaping, fingertip save by Logan Nelson, and the teams went to the break knotted at 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second period, junior playmaker Lucas Ford attacked down the right side and slipped the ball to sophomore Aiden Ainsworth in close, who adeptly tapped the ball in stride for his tenth goal of the season and a crucial 1-0 lead. 

The Dawgs built on that momentum, and scored again four minutes later when Jack Raulston’s direct kick shot was too hot for the keeper to handle as it bounced out to defender Nic Prins on the left flank, who took it toward the goal line and scored on a beautiful severe angle shot, giving Bearden a still-tenuous 2-0 lead with 26:47 to go.

The Bulldog defense iced the game from that point, as Noah Price’s contagious energy provided a spark, Shawn Spencer controlled his outside lane, sure-footed Cole Stopka was spot on with his clears, and of course, the impenetrable Logan Nelson turned back all challenges in goal.

The Bulldogs now face Hardin Valley for yet a third time on Thursday in a non-elimination game for the Region 2 Championship, but more importantly for home field on Saturday versus the Region 1 runner-up, either Dobyns-Bennett or Science Hill. The loser will have a dreaded road trip to that region’s winner. Buckle up–Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

Goals: AIDEN AINSWORTH (50’ assist-Lucas Ford); NIC PRINS (54’ Jack Raulston).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 21/9 HHS 6/3.Corners: BHS 5 HHS 1. Fouls: BHS 5 HHS 8. Yellow Card: HHS#6 (68’). Conditions: wet grass, intermittent drizzle, halftime rainbow, second half sun, 62 degrees.

Outside the box………Hardin Valley won 5-2 at Oak Ridge Tuesday………in Region 1 action, Dobyns-Bennett eliminated Sevier Co. 2-1, and Science Hill ended Jefferson County’s season 4-0………kickoff was moved up 1 hour due to impending weather………Reeese Van Haaften of WATE-TV 6 covered the game for the 11 o’clocknews………Woof!

Bearden 3 at Hardin Valley 1

DISTRICT-4 CHAMPIONSHIP (non-elimination)

Friday, May 10, 2024 7pm

Someone obviously forgot to tell #2 seed Bearden they were the underdogs traveling to #1 Hardin Valley for the District 4 Championship game, as they stunned the home team with two early goals enroute to a 3-1 win for their sixth consecutive district tourney crown. 

The Bulldogs came out in a fury, delivering a staggering blow in the opening nine minutes to take a 2-0 lead against the regular season district champs. Sophomore Ahmed Dkhiri scored on the Dawgs second possession following a long Lucas Ford throw-in and a Jack Raulston touch in a mad scramble at the six-yard box. 

Three minutes later, Preston Ford alertly found brother Lucas down the right side on a break, who chipped a perfect cross to sophomore Aiden Ainsworth, who scored his season’s ninth goal on a thunderous header as he crashed the box in perhaps the prettiest play of the year.

From that point, the two state powers traded possessions throughout the contest, as Bearden gradually transitioned to defensive mode. Hardin Valley had a goal called off in the fifty-seventh minute for being offsides, and the Hawk offense continued to build with ten total shots in the second period.

The Bulldogs gave the home team an opening when they were called for a take-down in the box with 5:34 remaining. Not to worry, however, as All-State-GK-to-be Logan Nelson confidently blocked the penalty kick with a diving stop to his left.

The Dawgs took it to the house from there–four minutes later, defender Shawn Spencer found Lucas Ford open in the middle as the junior forward scored his seventh goal on the year, beating the keeper one-on-one from ten yards for a 3-0 lead. The Bearden Bench erupted and emptied to the corner flag to congratulate Ford with 1:38 remaining.

An inconsequential P.K. was curiously called on Bearden with :58 seconds remaining to make the final score 3-1. 

With the win, Bearden earns a home elimination game Tuesday in the Region-2 semi-final versus Halls, an 0-2 loser at Oak Ridge, with a Saturday State Sectional berth on the line. Hardin Valley travels to Oak Ridge, with the two winners playing Thursday for seeding and home pitch. If you believe in good omens, the Bulldogs last played Halls in the 2016 Region-2 semi-final, defeating the Red Devils 10-0 on their way to the State Championship. Go Dawgs! Win State! Woof!

Goals: AHMED DKHIRI (6’ assist-Jack Raulston, Lucas Ford); AIDEN AINSWORTH (9’ Lucas Ford, Preston Ford); LUCAS FORD (78’ Shawn Spencer); Hardin Valley (79’ penalty kick).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 12/6 HV 14/7. Corners: BHS 3 HV 3. Fouls: BHS 15 HV 6. Offsides: BHS 0 HV 1. Yellow Cards: BHS 3 HV 3. Conditions: artificial turf football field, sunny & breezy, 54 degrees. Records: BHS 16-2-1 HV 17-2-1. 

Outside the box………………amongst several Lady Bulldogs on hand cheering on the Men were All-State sisters Nyla and Jayla Blue, Maci Ritzman and Emma Rainey………former Bulldog All-State GK, State Champion, and current Tennessee Wesleyan Ladies Soccer Coach Bryan Walker was taking in the action………Farragut Ladies Coach Jesse Stephens-Burkhart was on hand with her newborn son Dane………Woof!

DISTRICT-4 SEMI-FINAL (elimination)

at Bearden 3 Farragut 0

Thursday, May 9, 2024 7pm

Bearden’s swarming defense and relentless offense led the streaking Bulldogs to next week’s Region 2 playoff round as they defeated Farragut 3-0 Thursday. Bearden will now travel to Hardin Valley Friday to play the Hawks in a non-elimination District 4 Championship game to determine seeding.

Towering defender Cole Stopka got things started midway through the first half when he headed a perfect Dillon Sims corner kick into the net. 

Eight minutes later, the left-footed Sims fired a 25-yard direct kick bullet to the upper-90, and Bearden went to the break with a 2-0 lead.

Ten minutes into the second period, defender Shawn Spencer, disrupting the Admiral offense all evening, won the ball deep, attacked midfield and placed a beautiful pass into the box which Lucas Ford alertly head-flicked to an open Aiden Ainsworth for a score and a commanding 3-0 lead.

Coach Ryan Radcliffe praised his back line of Spencer, Stopka, and Captains Shepard McMurray and Nic Prins. “Those guys have played valuable minutes for multiple years now. Nic did a heck of a job on the outside against Franklin,“ referring to dangerous All-State Admiral forward Franklin Von Hagen.

The season’s eighth shutout was in doubt, however, until junior GK Logan Nelson made a brilliant, diving save on a Farragut penalty kick with 24:37 remaining. “Everything starts with Logan, Radcliffe said. He’s a three-year starter for us, that’s why he’s back there. His experience, leadership, and mainly his communication and knowledge of the game….it’s like having another Captain on the field.”

Speaking of Captains–Jack Raulston , while not scoring a goal, led the relentless Bearden onslaught, hawking balls deep, attacking the box and drawing fouls. Hustling Noah Price and steady Jack Tirgrath kept the midfield under control as the defense limited the Admirals to a measly three shots on goal.

Goals: COLE STOPKA (23’ Dillon Sims); DILLON SIMS (31’ Jack Raulston); AIDEN AINSWORTH (50’ Lucas Ford, Shawn Spencer);

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 17/11 FHS 4/3.Corners: BHS 5 FHS 2. Fouls: BHS 9 FHS 6. Offsides: BHS 1 FHS 0. Yellow Card: FHS#23 (31’). Conditions: wet grass, clear, 65 degrees. Attendance: 418. 

Outside the box………with most colleges now on break, it was Alumni night at the pitch with former Bulldogs Lucas Nordin (ETSU), Ethan Ford (ETSU), Becca Roth (Western Ky.), and BrinleyMurphy (So. Carolina) taking in the action………Woof!

DISTRICT-4 QUARTER-FINAL (elimination)

at Bearden 9 Heritage 0

Monday, May 6, 2024 5:45pm

Bearden spent little time eliminating Heritage Monday 9-0 in the required minimum forty minutes, dispensing with any second half nonsense as they set their sights on Wednesday’s home elimination game versus Farragut.

Freshman Caleb Weaver’s third goal of the season officially and abruptly ended the game by rule 9-0 as the final :44 seconds of the first period ticked down.

Jack Raulston and Omar Hewezi each had a pair of strikes, giving them 15 and 9, respectively, on the year, and Dillon Sims bagged his 13th dinger along with two assists. Preston Ford, Jack Tirgrath, and sophomore Omar Ardahji rounded out the score sheet. 

Lucas Ford added to his team-leading assist total, giving him 13 on the year, and Wylder Lee recorded his season’s 6th ‘dime’. The Ford boys had a nice combo assist on Raulston’s second goal. 

Goals: PRESTON FORD (6’ unassisted); OMAR ARDAHJI (9’ Dillon Sims); JACK RAULSTON (10’ Dillon Sims); JACK RAULSTON (14’ Lucas Ford, Preston Ford); DILLON SIMS (16’ unassisted); OMAR HEWEZI (22’ Wylder Lee); JACK TIRGRATH (24’ unassisted); OMAR HEWEZI (34’ unassisted); CALEB WEAVER (40’ unassisted).

Shots/Shots-on-goal: BHS 26/17 HHS 2/1.Corners: BHS 2 HHS 1. Fouls: BHS 0 HHS 1. Offsides: BHS 2 HHS 0. Cards: none. Conditions: grass, fast, sunny, 72 degrees. Attendance: 235.

Outside the box………former Bulldog forward Ethan Ford was on hand cheering for brothers Preston and Lucas, and former All-Everything Lady Bulldog and current South Carolina player Brinley Murphy dropped by the Press Box to say hello………gametime was wisely moved up to 5:45 due to the impending storms………Bearden defeated Farragut 3-0 at home back on April 19………Woof