CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Baylor Girls Soccer took another step toward a return trip to the TSSAA State Championships Tuesday night, rolling past Ensworth 7-0 in the opening round of the state tournament on the Baylor campus.

The Red Raiders improved to 12-3-2 on the season and advanced to Saturday's state quarterfinals, where they will travel to Memphis to face Briarcrest Christian with a trip to Chattanooga and the State Final Four on the line.

Baylor wasted little time setting the tone Tuesday night.

Just three minutes into the match, Ayanna Hamler found the back of the net off an assist from Helena Lima to give the Red Raiders an early 1-0 advantage.

In the 15th minute, Reese Rowlett doubled the lead, scoring off a pass from Hamler to put Baylor ahead 2-0.

The Red Raiders carried that advantage into halftime before turning up the offensive pressure in the second half.

Brylee Faulkner extended the lead to 3-0 in the 45th minute, scoring on a shot from inside the box.

Seven minutes later, Abby Lewis connected on a cross from Rowlett in the 52nd minute to make it 4-0.

Lewis wasn't finished, adding her second goal of the night in the 61st minute off a cross from Maddie Hawk.

Rowlett then took over the scoring duties, finding the net in the 63rd minute before completing her hat trick with another goal in the 79th minute to seal the 7-0 victory.

Rowlett finished with three goals and an assist, while Lewis added two goals. Hamler and Faulkner each contributed a goal as Baylor produced one of its most impressive offensive performances of the postseason.

Baylor head coach Curtis Blair was pleased with his team's fast start and the way the Red Raiders continued to improve throughout the match.

"One of our goals was to try to start fast and we accomplished that in the 3rd minute. As the game went along, I thought we kept getting better. I was proud of our team and especially our five seniors that got to play their last home soccer game," Blair said.

"We will travel to a very good Briarcrest team for a quarter-final match on Saturday."

The night was especially meaningful for Baylor's five seniors, who played their final home match on campus and helped keep the Red Raiders' championship hopes alive.

Blair also recognized several players for their performances, including goalkeeper Ella Metzner, Kinsley Faulkner, Harley Elam, Charlotte Hoss, Macey Conrad, Adri Carey and Grace King.

Now the attention turns to Saturday and a challenging road test against Briarcrest Christian.

With a victory, Baylor would earn a return trip to Chattanooga for next week's TSSAA Girls Soccer State Championships and an opportunity to compete for a state title.

The road to Chattanooga continues, and the Red Raiders are just one victory away from bringing that journey back home.

Baylor (12-3-2) at Briarcrest Christian

Saturday | TSSAA State Quarterfinals

Go Big Red!

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