By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The Ada High School boys soccer team scored late to defeat visiting Bath 2-1 in a tense non-league battle on Wednesday, August 19 at War Memorial Stadium.

The Bulldog boys improved to 2-0 with the tight win.

“Getting this win is especially meaningful for our seniors,” said third-year Ada head coach Aaron Acheson. “This is the first time this group has beaten Bath, so I am really happy for them.”

Bath junior Levi Grime scored at the 32-minute mark to put the Wildcats ahead, 1-0.

Senior Andrew Allen netted the first Ada goal at the 27:57 juncture on an assist from classmate Chase Jarrett to tie it up, 1-1. 

Then with nine minutes left to play, Jarrett broke a 1-1 tie by booting a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box into the top right corner of the net over the outstretched arms of the Bath keeper.

“It was a brilliant finish,” said Acheson of the winning goal. “We knew this was going to be a hard-fought game, and our guys showed a tremendous amount of grit and determination.

“It was a chippy game at times, but our players stayed composed and continued to battle for each other. This was a great team victory.

“I am really proud of the way our guys competed,” he continued. “Andrew Allen’s goal, assisted by Chase, gave us an important moment. And then Chase stepped up and delivered an incredible finish on the game-winning free kick.

“To put that ball in the top corner over the outstretched goalkeeper was a brilliant finish,” he enthused.

Senior Jacob Rush made four saves in goal for the Bulldogs. Each team earned three corner kicks.

“The players have put a lot of time and work into this program, and to see them come away with this victory together is something to be proud of,” Acheson remarked. “Rush was solid in goal for us with four saves, and defensively we did a good job of battling through a physical game.

“Bath made us work for everything, and our guys continued to fight until the final whistle,” the coach observed. “This was a complete team effort. We had to find ways to win the little battles, stay together and capitalize on the opportunities we created.

“Our guys did that, and I am extremely proud of the way they competed,” he added.

Ada hosts New Knoxville (0-0) on Monday, August 24.