Proving the third-time is a charm, Covenant Academy competed for the third year in a row in the championship game of the Middle Tennessee Athletic Conference middle school division.
Although they fell short in the first two attempts, their matchup with Mount Juliet on Saturday begot a favorable outcome for the Lions as they won the title by a final score of 2-0.
Going in, the Lions knew it would be a battle as the only loss they suffered during the regular season was to Mt. Juliet, leaving Covenant with a 7-1 overall season record.
Both coaches, Matt Walker and Chris Madewell, categorically stated how proud they were of the team’s performance in the championship game and how they did during the regular season.
“The defense played outstandingly,” said Walker. “They shut out a team that scored 7 goals on us the last time we met. The players have worked hard all season and deserve this win.”
The contest was a close one, and Covenant got on the board 15 minutes into the game as Lion David Netherton beat the keeper in a footrace to a loose ball and chipped it in. Covenant held onto the lead going into the break as both teams battled for dominance.
With 10 minutes left, Covenant’s Mary Margret Stanley made a perfect cross and Netherton scored again for the final goal of the contest, giving Covenant Academy Middle School its first MTAC championship.
Netherton and Madisen Madewell received MTAC All Tournament awards, and Terry Hines received MTAC Tournament MVP.