Knoxville Catholic High School defeated CAK to win the 2013 TSSAA Girls Soccer State Championship
The Lady Irish won the TSSAA Girls Soccer State Championship in Murfreesboro, defeating neighboring rival Christian Academy of Knoxville 3-1 in the Class A/AA title match at Richard Siegel Park.
It was the first state championship for any girls team in KCHS history.
Under the direction of coach Mark Leader, the Lady Irish have been knocking on the door of a state title. But the team finally burst through with the help of a senior and a freshman.
Senior Molly Dwyer scored all three goals in the victory and freshman Katie Whitaker, who was thrust into the match with 78 minutes to play, recorded six saves. Katie was called on when the starting goalkeeper was forced to leave the match after being issued a red card for running into a CAK player.
Katie, who started the season at goalkeeper before being sidelined by a wrist injury, was caught off guard when summoned to play in the championship match, but she fiercely defended the Lady Irish’s net in route to the title.
It was Catholic’s fourth meeting with CAK, and the Lady Irish won all four matches. The Lady Irish finished the season with a 21-3-4 record.
Molly, the leading scorer for the Lady Irish this season, will continue her soccer career at Furman University, where she has committed to play.
