Dale Woodfin

Special to The Chronicle

The Mt. Juliet Golden Bears had a lackluster beginning to the 2013 soccer season. At the midpoint of the season the Golden Bears had only managed a 2-5-3 record with a five game losing streak, then the team started to come together. 

Under the direction of Head Coach Brain Valkyrie and Assistant Coach Tommy Holt, the Bears reeled of four wins to start the second half of the season. That improved their record by the end of regular season play to 8-7-3, beating cross town rival Wilson Central Wildcats in the final game 2-0.

This past week in the District tournament, the Golden Bears marched their way to the final game in single elimination play with victories over Gallatin, 2-1, and Station Camp, 3-0.

In Friday’s Championship game, Mt. Juliet faced the historically strong Hendersonville Commandos who delivered The Golden Bears an early season loss of 4-0.  However, the District 9-AAA match up at Hendersonville would prove to be a much more challenging game for the Commandos.  

Both Mt. Juliet and Hendersonville would have good opportunities early, but it was the Commandos who managed to take the early lead during the 15th minute of the first half. As the second half came to a close it looked as though the Commandos would hold on for the victory. However, Cameron Woodfin  scored during the 38th minute with only two minutes left in regulation to send the game into overtime.  After two, ten minute periods of sudden death, the game remained locked at 1-1. Then after two additional five minute periods of sudden death it was penalty kicks that would decide the outcome.  

After the third penalty kick, Mt. Juliet missed wide to give Hendersonville a chance to clinch the victory.  However, the next PK from Hendersonville missed high. On the last kick from Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet Golden Bears keeper Baker Bachman came up big in the muddy goal box with the save. At the end of regulation, four overtimes and PK’s, the Mt. Juliet High School Men’s Soccer program claimed the District Championship in a grueling 110 minutes of play ending the Commandos’ 13-game winning streak and bid for three straight tournament titles.

Penalty kicks were scored by: Nick Jackel, Eric Whitmire, Colbe Earles, Woodfin.  

The win brings Mt. Juliet (11-7-3) home for Tuesday’s Region 5-AAA Tournament semifinal where they will host Dickson County (15-2-2).  Hendersonville (16-3-1) must play away for their semifinals against District 10-AAA champion Rossview (14-4-2).

With a win in the region semifinals the Golden Bears are assured a game May 16 in the regional finals and also a spot in sectional play May 18.

Dickson County’s loss to Rossview (2-0) in the District 10-AAA championship match was just the second all season long. The Hendersonville Commandos beat Dickson County earlier this season 1-0.

Mt. Juliet came away with their 8th straight district title Friday with a 6-2 win over Beech. 

Beech had eliminated Wilson Central Wednesday with a 7-0 victory. 

The Bears kept things rolling through regionals Monday with a 9-4 win over Clarksville. 

Mt. Juliet scored six runs in the bottom of the first and never relinquished the lead. 

The Bears will host Rossview Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the Region title. If they win, they will host the loser of Brentwood or Centennial Friday for a chance at a trip to state. If they lose, they will travel to the winner of Brentwood and Centennial with a state appearance still on the line. 

After several rain delays, Mt. Juliet and Wilson Central finally got to play the District 9-AAA Tournament finals Sunday. 

Mt. Juliet was able to take the first game, 3-0, but Wilson Central grabbed the title with a 2-1 win in the second game. 

Mt. Juliet had lost the first game of the tournament to Portland, but battled through the loser’s bracket to get to the final game. They needed to win twice. 

Central had gone through the tournament unscathed, so they just needed the one win. 

Both teams’ seasons came to an end Monday in the first round of regionals. 

Mt. Juliet lost to Clarksville, 3-0. They finished the season 29-16. 

Central lost to Dickson County, 2-1. 

Hailey Hubbel picked up the only RBI for the Lady Wildcats on the night. 

Central ended the season 22-17. 

Mt. Juliet and Wilson Central both recorded wins in the opening round of the 9-AAA District Baseball Tournament Friday. 

Mt. Juliet rallied from three runs down to beat Hendersonville in eight innings, 4-3. 

Marshall Gei’s RBI single scored Hunter Gilbert to record the win. 

Austin Smith got the win on the mound, pitching all eight innings, striking out eight. 

Wilson Central had no trouble with Portland, winning, 7-0. 

Jake Lefler and A.J. Franklin were 1-for-3 with two RBIs apiece. Kyle Hubbuch was 2-for-3 with a RBI. He also picked up the win on the mound. 

Central 7 Portland 0

P - 000 000 0 - 0 4 0

C - 600 100 X - 7 6 3

W: Kyle Hubbuch   

No more games had been played as of Monday due to rain. 

MJ loses opener, Central wins

Mt. Juliet found themselves in the loser’s bracket after a 4-3 loss to start the District 9-AAA softball tournament Friday.  

Portland jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and Mt. Juliet was unable to overtake them. 

Central had to go on the road, but came away with a 10-0 victory over Hendersonville. 

Sophomore Hannah Bodenhorn gave up only one hit while striking out nine batters.

Central got things going in the second inning, scoring three runs after back-to-back doubles by Kendall Eden and Hailey Hubbell, which was followed up by three straight singles by Ashley Eldridge, Allie Bennett, and Lauren Stavinoga to take a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Wildcats scored three more runs in the fourth inning, all with with two outs.  Eldridge got things going with a walk before stealing 2nd base. She then scored on Bennett’s double before Stavinoga came through with a two-run homerun, her 6th of the season.

Central was able to add four more runs in the top of the sixth inning when Kelsey Tomlin led off with a triple and scored on an Eldridge bunt single. Stavinoga singled Eldridge to third before Morgan Powell drove her in. Stavinoga later scored on an errant throw and Powell on a passed ball.

Central 10 

Hendersonville 0

C - 030 304 - 10 12 1

H - 000 000 - 0 1 1

W: Hannah Bodenhorn (12-8). L: Carly Carlisle. HR: Lauren Stavinoga (6).

No more games have been played as of Monday due to rain. 

Mt. Juliet Christian Academy’s senior tennis player, Rachel Walker, advanced to the state tournament this weekend.  

She will be MJCA’s first tennis player to advance to state since Crystal Harwell and Victoria Reed won the state tournament in 2005. Rachel Walker qualified for state (at the University of the South - Sewanee) by winning her first three matches by the following scores: 

vs. Poppie Grant (The Webb School-Bell Buckle)  6-1, 6-1

vs. Quinn RIley (Knoxville Webb School) 6-3, 6-4

vs. Lauren Williamson (Franklin Road Academy) 6-3, 7-5

Saturday, Walker did not fare as well in the semi-finals where she lost to Francesca Eluhu (University School of Nashville) 3-6, 0-6.

In the region 3rd place match Rachel Walker lost to Rebecca Zimberg (St. Cecilia Academy) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Walker with be the 4th seed from the East Middle Region of Division 2 at this years TSSAA State Tournament.