When it comes to TSSAA girls' soccer, Baylor School isn't just the three-time reigning state champion in Division II-AA.
The Lady Red Raiders are in a class all their own.
Baylor moved to the top of the TSSAA's all-time list in the sport with the program's record-breaking 12th state title Thursday night, securing the latest championship with a 3-0 win against Knoxville Webb at Finley Stadium.
A dozen titles for the program is a fitting number for Curtis Blair's 2025 team, as a senior class of 12 helped lead the Lady Red Raiders to not only a third straight title but a third consecutive shutout in the state final.
The Lady Red Raiders' final score of the season came in the 50th minute as set-piece extraordinaire Zoe Misenhimer chipped a corner kick from the right sideline to the head of fellow senior Hadley Griffith. It was the 10th goal of the season for Griffith and the 10th assist for Misenhimer.
"This is the best culture and most united team I have ever been on," said Griffith, who was honored as MVP of the championship game. "They are all my best friends, and it's really incredible to be a part of such a great team.
"That corner kick header was fitting because Zoe is one of my best friends. Every morning before and after school we lift together. To be a center back, it's amazing how many big goals she has been a part of for us. I am excited to play her in the future in the Southern Conference. She is going to play for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and I will be playing for Tennessee Tech."
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Misenhimer also scored in the final, converting a penalty kick in the 34th minute that was set up by a foul drawn by sophomore phenom Ayanna Hamler at the top of the box.
Hamler's speed and physicality were a problem for Webb (15-2-1). Baylor's leading scorer this season, Hamler overpowered the Lady Spartans for a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute as she turned and drilled in her shot off an assist from Griffith on the left sideline.
Hamler finished the season with 26 goals and has scored 62 times through her first two years of prep soccer. She played for Arts & Sciences last year.
"We needed Ayanna so much this year," Griffith said. "She is just a unit. She is super strong and fast. People are shocked when I tell them she is only a sophomore. She is always out here trying to get better. She asks questions to the seniors and coaching staff, and I can't wait to see where she goes from here."
Baylor (19-2-1) finished the season with a 73-14 scoring advantage.
Lilly Catalanotto was exceptional on defense in the final, when she shut down one of Webb's few dangerous chances on a run down the left sideline by McKallie Ball, who has committed to Louisville.
During the awards ceremony, Catalanotto and Misenhimer accepted Baylor's historic 12th state championship plaque and proceeded to jump with it in the air while shouting "Three-peat! Three-peat!" over and over.
"Lilly and Zoe were locked in from the time of our pregame meal," Blair said. "They knew exactly how we had to defend and what we had to take care of. They don't get enough credit because they do it every single game. They defend very well and keep things in front of us.
"Brylee Faulkner and Charlotte Hoss deserve a ton of credit as our outside backs. What our defense has done this year takes all four of them. They hardly gave Knox Webb any good chances all night, and (goalkeeper) Ella Metzner picked up the things that went through. All the girls did their job to make something incredible happen again."
After losing to Webb on senior night at Baylor on Sept. 25, the Lady Red Raiders learned from their mistakes and went on to land the ultimate payback as they beat the Lady Spartans twice for titles, winning 2-0 in the region final before adding Thursday's state crown.
Five players had at least two shots for Baylor in the state final, which included two would-be goals by Emily Betterton that were called back.
"We had a target on our back this whole season, and the girls just kept performing better and better as the season went on," Blair said. "These girls deserve all of this. I am so excited for our Baylor community. This is a once in a ifetime experience for these girls. And for them to do it three times is unbelievable."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
Baylor breaks TSSAA record with 12th girls' soccer state title | Chattanooga Times Free Press
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