GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Tullahoma girls’ soccer team closed out an amazing season last Friday on Oct. 31. They lost in the state final to Liberty Creek High School by a score of 1-0. The second-place finish in the state tourney is the second time the Lady Wildcats have accomplished this feat in school history. The last time they did it was in 2002.

It was clear from the start of this match that Liberty Creek was the best team Tullahoma had played all year. Their chemistry on the field was sharp, and their calmness under pressure was noticeable. They came into the game with a 21-1-2 record. With that being said, the Lady Wildcats looked like they more than belonged.  They were just unfortunately plagued by an early goal from the opposing Lady Wolves.

Inside the first 15 minutes of the match, senior and captain for Liberty Creek, Ruby Sailor, located the back of the net, capitalizing on a well-played cross from one of her teammates. Sailor on the year led her team in goals with 26 in 22 recorded games.

Tullahoma then was playing catch-up to get back in the matchup, which proved to be awfully difficult. The opposing Lady Wolves were elite and precise in their passing games. They offered minimal chances for the ‘Cats to cause chaos on mistakes they made throughout the game. But as good as this Tullahoma team was, they still found chances throughout the match.

Senior for the Lady Wildcats, McLayne Bobo had some promising shots throughout the game, but none could find the goal. Senior Avery Sisk had a shot on goal in the match that the opposing keeper was able to handle. Sisk also in the match showed the heart she had, and this whole team had this year. She gritted her way throughout the match, as she played through an injury. She and the rest of her Tullahoma team fought to the bitter end of this state final bout, even when there was less than a minute on the clock.

The Wildcats were all pushed up as one minute remained in the game, desperately looking for a gateway to a goal, and they got their last big opportunity in a long free kick from senior Lexi Chamblee. Of the entirety of the team, Chamblee has the strongest leg, and this was shown in the semifinal state match against Signal Mountain. From near midfield against the opposing Eagles, Chamblee got a goal off a free kick. She was in a similar spot in this one, but had the benefit of being a bit closer. Chamblee, on this attempt, put a good strike on the ball, but again the opposing lady Wolves keeper was able to handle the shot, and this essentially ended the game. It was an emotional scene at the end as Lady Wildcat’s teammates hugged each other in what for many of them will be their last match wearing a Tullahoma jersey.

“That night we kind of talked about lighting a fire. Letting it carry over to your next sport, next team, and more importantly bringing it when we get back in May. And you could see it. That is what they did,” head coach of the girls’ soccer team Richie Chadwick said, talking about how this team came together this year and where their success for the 2025 first sparked from in a tough loss to Livingston Academy in the 2024 season.

The Lady Wildcats accomplished a lot this season, and they will be remembered for what all they accomplished, as this season will forever have a spot in the history of the soccer program. Congratulations to the 2025 district champions, regional champions, and state runners-up, the Tullahoma Lady Wildcats.