TN FORCE IMPRESS IN JUMP TO SENIOR LEVEL, NASHVILLE CONTINUES WINNING WAYS

Written By:   Cassidy Hettesheimer
              South Region Contributor

Conference newcomers and returning regular-season champions shone in last weekend's Southeast Conference play. On Friday, May 20, TN Force FC secured its first senior-level WPSL win over North Alabama SC to open the 2022 season for the conference. Then, on Sunday, the Nashville Rhythm picked up right where it left off last season with a convincing 5-1 win over Chattanooga FC.

TN Force FC, having won the U21 WPSL Southeast Conference in 2021, traveled to John Hunt Championship Soccer Stadium to take on hosts North Alabama SC. Nele Bauer and Alivia Scott scored in the first half, and a second-half goal from Macy Gibson put the Force up 3-0 for the match’s final score.

“I think Coach Laban and our staff did an excellent job of preparing the girls for the game,” TN Force FC owner and general manager Tom Hansford, said. “They really emphasized how we needed to play in the shape we were in and made some very wise adjustments to help secure the win for us.”

The Rhythm found its rhythm quickly in Nashville’s home win over Chattanooga FC. The team bagged two goals in the first 12 minutes and continued to press offensively throughout the first 45 minutes, entering halftime with a 4-1 lead. The Rhythm maintained its advantage and put another ball in the back of the net in the second half to finish the game 5-1. 

Nashville’s five goals came from five different goal scorers: Addie Forbus, Molly Grant, Keito Ido, Raegan Kelly and Yuki Watari.

Chattanooga FC named Brianna Smotherman “Woman of the Match” afterward, in honor of her scoring the team’s first goal of the season in the 19th minute.

Alabama FC is the only Southeast Conference team that has yet to play a game. The team’s first match will be hosting Chattanooga FC on Friday, May 27.

The Rhythm will travel to play North Alabama SC next on Sunday, May 29. Meanwhile, TN Force FC has a bit of a wait before its next match, as the team hosts Alabama SC on Saturday, June 11.