Written By:  Cassidy Hettesheimer
             South Region Contributor

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Last season, the Nashville Rhythm dominated the WPSL Southeast Conference regular season but fell short in the conference tournament final. This year, the dominant offensive powerhouse bounced back, repeating its regular-season title and winning the Southeast Conference Championship.

 

On Sunday, July 10, the Rhythm defeated TN Force FC, 5-0, behind an onslaught of four goals in the match’s second half.

 

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good TN Force team,” Scott Davidson, Nashville head coach, said. “Our girls were up to the challenge from the first whistle. We created a number of chances early with TN Force defending well.”

 

A high-octane offense has been a signature of Rhythm-play this season, with Nashville averaging 4.9 goals scored per match. Its leading goalscorer, Keito Ido, led the Southeast Conference with nine goals. In the regular season, however, TN Force led the conference in least goals allowed – pitting a dominant offense against a strong backline.

 

The Force held the Rhythm back until the 18’ minute when Grace Oliver scored what Davidson described as the “goal of the game,” with a top-corner strike from 25 yards out.

 

After the half, Yuki Watari bagged two goals, and Raegan Kelly and Emika Kawagishi each scored once.

 

“Second half, the girls stepped it up to another level in the attacking third,” Davidson said.

 

Defensively, Angela Steidl and Becca Campbell held down the center of the backline, and goalkeeper Maddie Elbro came up with big saves in each half to keep a shutout against the Force.

 

On Friday, TN Force had beaten Chattanooga FC, 3-1, to qualify for the championship match.

 

During the regular season, TN Force FC and Nashville split their head-to-head matches in June, with Nashville winning the first, 5-3, then TN Force FC handing Nashville its only loss of the season, 1-0.

 

The Rhythm is now putting on a GoFundMe to raise money for its trip to the South Regional Playoffs in Miami.

 

Nashville will face FC Surge on July 16 at 10 a.m. EST.