Highlanders Secure 1-0 Victory Over CSAS to Reach Eighth Consecutive TSSAA Class A State Tournament

"It means a whole lot, especially for me because as the new head coach, that's where all the pressure was, at least that I put on myself to get us there and let whatever magic of the state tournament will be there but as long as I could get us there I'd be happy." Gatlinburg Pittman soccer coach Jason Owens said after his Highlanders defeated CSAS 1-0 in Saturday's TSSAA Sectional Tournament that sent them to their 8th straight state tournament appearance.

In a game where the score is not indicative of the game itself, the Highlanders dominated every facet of the game from opening whistle until the final three blasts from the referees whistle at the end of the game.

Gatlinburg Pittman had several quality chances in the first half of the match but the CSAS keeper was up to the task and held them at bay despite a shots on goal advantage of 10-2 for the Highlanders.

The teams would go into the half still tied at nil and coach Jason Owens had a simple message to his squad. "Just keep at it; it's a lot easier to destroy than it is to create. We don't know how we're going to score it but we know we're going to find a way to score it and just keep the faith."

The Highlanders quickened the tempo out of the locker room in the second half and had 4 quick shots on goal within the first two minutes of play.

"We've been working really hard at coming out with high energy in the second half, because it's hurt us in previous games." Owens said on the up tempo pace of play in the second half.

The Highlanders worked a beautiful run up the side before Kevin Escalante blasted a shot on goal around the midway point of the 2nd half, but the Patriots keeper was once again able to get a hand on it for the save and the rebound went wide keeping the score at nil.

Gatlinburg Pittman finally struck on a beauty of a goal by Cristofer Lanza off a nice ball from Edgardo Coello, that found the back of the net after the Patriots keeper drew up from the box to make it 1-0 Highlanders with only 5:18 remaining in regulation.

"It's massive, I get to watch Cristofer everyday in practice and he finishes so well in practice and you're just willing him the whole time to get one in the game and finally seeing him get one and a great goal at that is just big. Everyone was just so excited to see it because they all see it as well." Owens lamented on the equalizing goal from Lanza.

The Highlanders would work the ball around the pitch trying to run the final 5 minutes off of the clock but the Patriots refused to go quietly getting several shots on goal, with all of them being turned away by defenders or the keeper Dylan Plate.

"I believed in him, I knew this was going to be a tough year with all of the talent that we lost. I don't know that anyone believed, I know that no one in this county did. Everyone said that we'd drop off, but there's something about GP and the culture and having the right head coach in place. I'm just so proud of the kids, Coach Owens and they've got a real shot to go win this thing." said AD Zach Schrandt, who was previously the head coach for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders TSSAA State Tournament play will begin on Tuesday, with the brackets still currently pending as Sectional games are still being played.