CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Cleveland soccer player Ben Kimball wasn’t even a factor when the Raiders advanced to last season’s state tournament.
This year, he’s a reason behind it, after scoring the game-winning goal for top-ranked Cleveland, who defeated third-ranked Murfreesboro Riverdale 2-1 in the Class AAA sub-state round Sunday evening.
The Raiders will face Memphis Kingsbury (13-4) Wednesday in the first round of the state tournament.
“At the beginning of the season, we sat down and made goals for our team,” Cleveland coach John Brose said. “We knew this was a possibility and had the talent to do it, but we took it one game at a time.
“With the experience we got in last year’s tournament, we hope that’ll pay off this year.”
The Raiders were defeated by eventual state champion Brentwood in last year’s first round.
“Cleveland is a tough team, but we fought hard,” Riverdale coach Ali Arman said. “These conditions were tough for both teams, but the guys put their heart into the contest and I’m proud of them.”
The wet, muddy field at the Greater Cleveland Soccer Complex played a factor in two of the three goals scored, but none were more important than Kimball’s goal in the 39th minute. Teammate Wes Llosa fired off a shot that Riverdale goalie Grayson Powell couldn’t corral, and the sophomore was there to punch the shot into the back of the net.
“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” Kimball said. “With the wet conditions today, anything can happen.”
Cleveland (19-0-3) took a 1-0 edge halfway through the first half when Sias Reyneke scored on a header off a pass from Drew Muth. Riverdale evened the score nine minutes later when Riverdale sophomore Jordan Higgs was played out wide. He had a one-on-one against Cleveland goalie Adam Gonzales and fired a shot that struck the post. The ball bounded right back to Higgs, who knocked in the rebound to tie the game.
“We played a good pass out wide there,” Arman said. “There was a lot of good ball work and good movement on that play.”
With all the scoring in the first half, the defenses were both tested in the second. Cleveland had a chance to stretch their lead to 3-1 when Reyneke was fouled in the box, but Powell made a great diving save to prevent a goal.
The Cleveland defense, often overshadowed by their high-scoring offense, was tested late, but backs Wes Hampton, Grayson McConnell, Tyler Goza and Muth made plays to contribute to the win.
“The defense has been the unsung hero for us this season,” Cleveland coach John Brose said. “They don’t get the credit they deserve, but the guys are mature and smart, especially in a game like this when we’re pressed at the end.”
The Warriors (15-3-1) did have some dangerous opportunities late in the contest. Patrick Crompton ripped a shot that barely missed the goal, then moments later, Josh Arman chipped a shot that bounded off the crossbar.
“I thought we had some good chances,” Arman said. “Every year, we have high expectations. Before the season, people said we were too young and chose us fourth or fifth in the district, but we surpassed that and want to keep the expectations high here every year.”
Class AAA Sub-State
CLEVELAND 2, RIVERDALE 1
Halftime score: Cleveland, 2-1. Goals: Sias Reyneke, Ben Kimball (CHS); Jordan Higgs (Riv). Assists: Drew Muth (CHS). Shots on goal: Cleveland, 16-8. Saves: Grayson Powell (Riv); Adam Gonzales 5 (CHS). Other standouts: Grayson McConnell, Wes Hampton, Tyler Goza (CHS); Patrick Compton, Eli Genet (Riv). Records: Cleveland 19-0-3; Riverdale 15-3-1.
