Sevier County Earns 1-1 Draw Against Top-Ranked South Doyle

The Smoky Bears celebrate the equalizer.

On a Thursday evening with the #1 team in 2-A South Doyle invading the Sevier County Soccer Complex for a matchup, coach Tim Bohanan said "We knew it was going to be tough, we challenged them ahead of time, we've been working hard in practice, we're just really, really proud of them."

The Cherokees however, drew first blood on a goal at the 8 minute mark of the first half, on a nice cross angle shot that found the back of the net for South Doyle to make it 1-0.

"I have to give our kids a ton of credit. It would have been easy to fold up shop, turn on each other, start bickering, fighting, and fussing but they didn't. They showed great grit & resolve."

The Smoky Bears put together several great runs, mixed with shots on goal but none of them would find the back of the net. Darwin Garcia had the best look at the goal but a beautiful save by the Cherokees keeper at the top of the post prevented the tying goal for the Smoky Bears.

Neither team could get anything further going for the remainder of the half and South Doyle led 1-0 after the first 40 minutes of play.

"Just to keep fighting, don't give up. It's cliche and everything else I guess, but we're creating chances. We created as many or more good opportunities as they had in the first half."

"If we could just stay true to who we are and keep doing what we do, and keep playing together, for each other, with each other, we felt like we would keep creating chances and eventually some of those will go in." stated Bohanan on his message at halftime.

Both teams were locked into a physical match with several penalties being called on both sides, with the Smoky Bears drawing yellow cards on senior Angel Zelaya, as well as junior Kristopher Rivas in the first 5 minutes of the second half.

"He's one of the main cogs, one of the guys that really drives our team, and his emotion, his energy really drives the rest of our team and it kind of handcuffs you a bit." on taking Zelaya out after his yellow at the 44:54 mark.

The Smoky Bears would net the equalizer on a beautiful full field run from Freddy Castro, who would catch Zelaya across the middle for the easy goal into the side net to make it 1-1 at 52:47 in the game.

"They have such a great connection with each other, having played together and being best of friends for years, that was huge. Getting that momentum back on our side, and proving that yes, we can create chances and when we create them, we can finish." Bohanan said of the equalizer.

On the next Smoky Bears run a minute later, an open field run and timely dish looked to give the Smoky Bears an easy 2 on 1 goal, but the Cherokees defenders made a great play from behind, forcing Sevier County into a corner rather than the go-ahead goal.

"When you miss an easy one like that, it can really suck the wind out of you, and I think it did just to be perfectly honest. I have to give the kids credit, they just kind of swallowed it and then here we go."

A second yellow on Zelaya and subsequent red at the halfway point of the second half, would leave the Smoky Bears without one of their key players for the remaining 20 minutes of play.

Both teams would get chances down the stretch but neither could get the go-ahead goal as Sevier County keeper Kensley Solano made several key saves down the stretch including the biggest save of the game with 15 seconds remaining in the game, to lock down the draw for the Smoky Bears.

Sevier County limited the Cherokees to the lone goal, an impressive defensive gameplan, that was executed on a team that averages 5 goals per game.

"I'm really proud of the fact, that we have more than the starting four but other guys that we can rotate through there, and keep the level high."

"We've got a really tough Knox Central team coming up here on Tuesday, that will really push us to our limits again. As we've told the kids, when we scheduled these games, this is what we need to help prepare us for the postseason. Playing this type of competition is what we expect to see if we're fortunate enough to make any type of run at all in the postseason."

Angel Zelaya kisses the SC crest on his jersey after netting the equalizer goal.

Kristopher Rivas battles for a ball with a South Doyle defender.