Payton Meyer scored three goals and the Ravenwood Lady Raptors crushed Shelbyville Central 9-0 in the TSSAA Region 5-AAA semifinal Tuesday, Oct. 20, at home in Brentwood.
The District 10-AAA champions advance to Thursday's region championship game against Franklin. The winner earns home-field advantage in the Class AAA Sectional round.
Meyer's hat trick earned her Player of the Match honors, but the offense was spread across the roster. Carlie Karkau added two goals and an assist. Allie Gay scored once and set up two more. Bentley Briggs and Lainey Anderson each found the net as well.
Tatum Hartshorn also scored, pushing her season total to 23 goals in what the Williamson Herald described as a record-setting career. Keelyn Grant, Elin Longley, Emily Hines and Blair Vertigets were credited with assists.
Six different Lady Raptors scored in the blowout.
Rematch with Franklin
Thursday's championship game is a rematch of the District 10-AAA final. Ravenwood stunned previously unbeaten Franklin in penalty kicks to claim the district title, as first reported by the Williamson Herald. Junior Isabel Sheffield delivered the clinching penalty kick after keeper Emma West made two saves in the shootout.
The Admirals advanced to Thursday's game with their own shutout, beating Franklin County 3-0 on the road Tuesday.
After the district title win, Ravenwood coach Liz Kappler predicted another meeting with the Admirals. "I believe that we would definitely will match up even later on … Coach Kyle is a smart coach – we'll see what he brings to the next match," Kappler told the Williamson Herald on Oct. 14.
That prediction proved correct. The two rivals meet again at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Ravenwood for the region crown and a spot in the sectional round.
