FLOWEREE BRANCH, Ga. — Cherokee Bluff girls soccer coach Heath Padgett says they're more than just Bristol Kersh.
They won their second-round game (a 2-0 win over Southeast Whitfield) without their sensational freshman, but Kirsch made them a legitimate state title contender.
Kirsch had four goals and one assist as the No. 4 Lady Bears defeated No. 10 Whitewater 6-0 at Yona Field on Monday in the Elite Eight round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Still, senior Carson DeMars feels the Lady Bears' biggest asset is their defense. He has yet to score a single goal in the 2024 playoffs.
“In club (league) play, Bristol defend and I defend, but here we can play a little more attackingly,” Demers said after scoring two goals himself. Last week we really showed that we are not just one player and in the remaining games against Bristol we are a very good team and will be difficult to beat. ”
With Kirsch in the lineup for two of the three 2024 playoff games, Bluff (17-4) outscores opponents 16-0. On Thursday, they will get the ultimate challenge as they face No. 1 and undefeated Lovett (17-0) for a spot in the championship match.
But Bluff coach Heath Padgett agreed with Demers that defense is more important than offense.
“We're a very good defensive team,” Padgett said. “We've got to do both (scoring and playing good defense). Our leadership on the defensive side is going to have to step up, but they've played well there all year.”
Kersh's threat will allow the Lady Bears to attack at any time, and Padgett said offense will also be part of the game plan.
“It means a lot to be organized defensively, but at the same time we're going to move forward and have them protect us,” he said.
The game against Whitewater (14-5) got off to a very slow start for the Lady Bears as the Lady Wildcats created three solid scoring chances in the first six minutes. One shot went off the right goal post, and the other two were saved by keeper Emily Benjamin to keep the score scoreless.
Then the bluff is for the best. Pass the ball to Karsh.
The freshman gathered on a long ball, expertly spinning around one Whitewater defender in the box and feeding Demers with a beautiful cross, which she headed past Lady Wildcats keeper Lauren Bradley. The first shot gave them a 1-0 lead. game. A minute later, Kirsch received a long pass from Ashley Scott and beat Bradley with a left-footed strike to take a 2-0 lead after just two shots.
Bluff then took advantage of a Whitewater turnover in its own zone when Demers stole a pass and scored Kirsch to make it 3-0. Kirsch completed his hat trick a minute later with a swerving 20-yard blast into the top right corner for a 4-0 lead with 23:28 left in the first half.
In the second half, Demers scored his second goal of the game in the 47th minute, scoring with his left foot past Bradley for a 5-0 lead. Kirsch took a beautiful ball from Scott and ran through the middle to add the fourth goal. However, while shooting, he kicked her in the ankle, leaving her limping off the pitch.
Kirsch returned to the game five minutes later, but his ankle was wrapped in ice just as the final gun went off. But she told me not to worry.
“I'm fine. I'm ready,” he said of the semifinals.
Round 3 Soccer Scoreboard, Monday, April 29th
girl
class 7A
Buford 2, Hillgrove 0
Class 5A
Jefferson 2, Northgate 0
class 4A
cherokee bluff 6, white water 0
class 3A
Dawson County 3, Pike County 2
Class A D2
Towns County (R3, S3), Hawkinsville (R1, S1), 6 p.m.
