Arts & Sciences coaches David Poss and Caitlin Kelley saw the shot they wanted senior Sterlling Tindell to take Monday evening in the District 5-A/AA soccer quarterfinals. Tindell saw the pass she wanted to make.
Because she trusted her own instincts, the Lady Patriots are still alive in the postseason.
Tindell slotted a perfect pass to Makalah Elsea, whose goal provided the difference in a 1-0 victory over Silverdale Baptist Academy in the quarterfinals at Silverdale. CSAS (8-7-1) will face Grace Academy, which defeated Polk County 3-0 in another quarterfinal, tonight at 7 at Grace.
The Lady Patriots received a standout performance from goalkeeper Katie Foster, who provided eight saves, including a pair of huge stops on Savannah Buckley attempts right in front of the goal. On both occasions, the junior keeper ranged to her right to make diving saves and keep the game tight.
"Katie had a great game. I saw shades of her older sister [Emily]," Poss said. "She really saved us a couple of times."
The Lady Patriots had been on their heels for much of the second half, but then they cashed in on the Tindell-Elsea combination.
"The one breakaway they had, they took advantage of. You have to give CSAS credit," Silverdale coach Chris Neighbors said. "We had an up and down season, with 10 girls that missed game time this year.
"I'm proud of the girls, though. I wouldn't want to coach another group; they were a great group of girls."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.