SoccerHawks win region, but BHS earns another state berth
HARDIN VALLEY — In evaluating the outstanding boys soccer seasons for Bearden and Hardin Valley Academy in head-to-head showdowns and both teams’ do-or-die Sectional battles, the visitors proved to be road warriors each time.
After Ryan Radcliffe’s SoccerDawgs answered a Hawks penalty kick walkoff celebration at BHS during the regular season with a 3-1 District 4-3A Tournament victory at HVA, it was Hardin Valley answering back at Bearden’s Turner-Allender Field with a 1-0 Region 2-3A tourney title win Thursday, May 16.
The final twist came two days later, with the SoccerDawgs traveling to Kingsport and handing the Dobyns-Bennett Indians their first loss of the season, 1-0, in a Sectional showdown Saturday, May 18. Radcliffe’s boys (18-3-1) earned yet another 3A state berth.
Just a few hours later, the Hawks would let a 1-0 halftime lead slip away at home against Johnson City Science Hill (11-10) in the other local 3A Sectional, falling 4-2. Hardin Valley’s season ends at 19-3-1.
About 2024, “I’ll remember it by being around the most cohesive team I’ve ever coached,” HVA head coach Ray Dover said. “I’ve never been around a group of kids that care about each other like these guys do.”
In this sectional, the Hawks went up 1-0 when Ali Tarchane scored from the left side, about 25 yards out, on a pass from Daniel Perez in the 10th minute.
After Science Hill tied the match with a goal just 20 seconds into the second half, the Hawks went back ahead 2-1 with 34:22 to play on a goal by David Hart near the face of the net, taking a header pass following a corner kick from Brady Hammer.
Three SHHS goals came from forward Sam Moody.
