The Notre Dame girls' soccer team is in the TSSAA Class A/AA state final Saturday after defeating Jackson Christian 2-1 on Thursday at the Richard Siegel complex in Murfreesboro, but Chattanooga Christian fell just short of joining its district rival.
Knoxville Catholic advanced with a 10-9 edge in a penalty-kick shootout after a scoreless tie through overtime against CCS. The match was extended to 12 shooters for each team in the PKs.
Knoxville Catholic (17-5) faces Notre Dame (12-5-4) in a battle of Lady Irish at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Kelsey Barta was involved in a goal early in each half for Notre Dame, converting a Sofia Olenchek cross for a 1-0 lead and setting up Emma Higgins for the 2-0 advantage.
CCS coach Cal Sneller put his best defender, Jenna Rogers, on Catholic's best offensive weapon and was able to limit the dangerous opportunities. He also credited the rest of his defense -- Roo Rogers, Emily Huesman and Katie Dirkse -- for their roles against the Lady Irish attack.
"The defenders did great tonight," he said late Thursday night.
The Lady Chargers will lose six seniors, all of whom contributed to the team's success in 2014.
"The girls ended the year playing well," Sneller said. "They gave their all with no regrets. The seniors will be missed, but they have led the team to play their best every opportunity."