Baylor's Emily Betterton helps seal region road win over CCS

by Patrick MacCoon

For a program with 10 TSSAA state championships in girls' soccer, one of the most important aspects in helping create success year in and year out for the Baylor Lady Red Raiders relies in their off-field chemistry as much as it does on the pitch.

A year after another run to being crowned state champions in Division II-AA, Baylor appears dominant again after a 9-1-2 overall start that included Tuesday's 2-0 road shutout over Chattanooga Christian in both team's region opener.

Junior Emily Betterton was electric, as the winger executed the high-press perfectly on the left sideline and sent in a beautiful strike that twisted around the keeper, glanced off the right goal post and off a defender into the back of the net for the Lady Red Raiders' final goal just a minute into the second half.

"The key to success for Baylor girls' soccer is really what goes on off the field," said the speedy Betterton, who was an outside back on defense last year in the state title run. "We really encourage each other and are there for each other no matter what. Our team chemistry is what allows us to perform so well on the pitch."

Baylor's defensive efforts have been stellar all season as senior keeper Sara Hill, along with a back line comprised of juniors Hannah Helms, Zoe Misenhimer and Lilly Catalanotto, has yet to allow a goal through the run of play. All six goals by opponents have come on either penalty kicks or set pieces.

Hill was active early Tuesday as she had two saves in the first five minutes against CCS (5-2-1).

"Our success defending starts up front," Baylor coach Curtis Blair said. "We do a good job of keeping things in front of us. Our girls are talented individually, but we are really a good at team defending. Someone is always stepping in and winning a ball. Our back line just reads the game so well, and whatever gets through, Sara cleans up. Life is a lot easier when you know you have Sara Hill back there."

Freshman Kate Bennett closed out the first half strong as the Lady Red Raider freshman hammered her third goal of the season in to the top left of the net in the 31st minute on a play that came together quickly down the left middle seam.

"Kate reads the game really well and puts herself in the right positions at the right time," Blair said. "She has scored some big-time goals for us. Her confidence is getting bigger and bigger and we are really excited about having her here for a long time going forward."

With Baylor's only loss of the season coming 1-0 on a penalty kick to the state's top-ranked team in Bearden, another strong season looks in store for the defending state champions.

"These girls really love each other and want to spend as much time together," Blair said. "Once you have that, you have already won because their bond really crosses over on to the field. At the end of the day, they will remember the relationships they have made together."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.

Baylor's Emily Betterton helps seal region road win over CCS | Chattanooga Times Free Press

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