A breeze, 3-0, for host Lady Bulldogs in Bearden Invitational

KNOXVILLE — Inclement weather has been the toughest opponent the Bearden High School girls soccer team has faced in 2019. The Lady Bulldogs didn’t play a full match until late last week.

Well, for Bearden it was a case of better late than never as the Lady Bulldogs dominated all comers in the Bearden Invitational at Turner-Allender Field, which annually showcases top teams in the Volunteer State.

Lady Bulldogs’ senior goalkeeper Megan Armstrong recorded three consecutive shutouts over Gallatin, Clarksville and Hendersonville. BHS (4-0) opened tournament play with a 6-0 victory over the GHS Lady Green Wave Thursday, Aug. 29.

.Bearden took a 1-0 lead when freshman Brinley Murphy tallied in the 15th minute. Her marker was assisted by Abby Brewer and was the first of four goals in the opening half.

Alex Smith scored about five minutes later to make it 2-0, and Taylor Cross got the final two goals of the half to put Bearden up 4-0.

Cross completed her hat trick in the 43rd minute.

“We didn’t take Gallatin lightly and came in and approached them like they were a tough team — and they are,” Cross, a senior, said.

Bearden’s Hailey Cartt scored the final goal of the match in the 60th minute.

The Lady Bulldogs went on to beat Clarksville 3-0 Friday, Aug. 30, behind markers from Brewer, Smith and Becca Roth.

They closed tourney play with a 3-0 victory versus Hendersonville Saturday, Aug. 31, as Murphy, Zneyah McLaughlin and Carley Scott each scored after halftime.