Local teams stay hot at Bearden Invitational
The soaring temperatures sent onlookers into shade, but eyes remained glued to the field on the final day of soccer in the 2026 Bearden Invitational.
Held for more than 20 years, the event has grown substantially during Ryan Radcliffe’s ascent from Bearden player to head coach of the boys and girls programs at BHS.
“When I played, it was three or four teams, and now it’s 18 or 20 teams each year,” Radcliffe said with a smile. “It’s fun.”
There were several local teams involved, including Farragut, Bearden, Hardin Valley, Webb and CAK, but other programs such as Liberty Creek, Station Camp and even a pair of Ohio standout squads took part, too.
“It’s a lot of work, but the fact that you see a lot of teams from across the state and even multiple states is cool,” Radcliffe added. “I don’t think
anybody here is not a good team — all the games have been exciting and fun and enjoyable, even with the weather the way it is. And it’s good as a coach to play on your home field and still see how you stack
up against teams across the state looking ahead to, hopefully, the
state tournament in Chattanooga.”
FHS, HVA and BHS all went 2-0 through the tournament, while Webb lost to Walsh Jesuit (OH) 2-1 with CAK losing to Maryville 6-2.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, FHS stormed back to win 4-3 over a Station Camp team that cracked the Class AA state tournament last season.
Emma Kate Smith totaled two goals that day, while Reagan Louchart and Meghan Shimehall notched one apiece.
The next day, FHS held on to beat Science Hill with an early header from Smith and a bit of insurance late from Cadence Hawk. Ava Upshaw and Mia Swartzentruber provided the assists, while Emery Wylie posted a shutout in the victory.
“We were down 2-1 at one point, and we fought back and won 4-3,” Lady Ads coach Jessica Burkhart said Sunday. “We maintained that composure at 1-0 today and took some pressure right there, especially missing a key starter in Ada Becker. For them to adjust to that, it was a good sign for them mentally.”
Burkhart credited Swartzentruber for her assist to Hawk, as she dribbled toward the net before finding the open teammate for the score.
“We had been talking during halftime about putting the ball in front of the goal for something to happen, and she did a great job on that,” Burkhart said.
Burkhart also credited Radcliffe for consistent water breaks throughout the tournament, noting that such implementation “was a big reason we were able to play.”
Hardin Valley Academy saw similar success — and hydration breaks — through a pair of 1-0 victories over Liberty Creek and Oak Ridge.
Hannah Rhoden found the net against the Wolves with an assist by Anna Ogle, while Marely Ortega scored on a penalty kick against the Wildcats.
“We’re proud of the girls fight this weekend,” HVA assistant Mandy Marshall said. “They battled through some injuries and the heat. I thought we did well both games with possession but we struggled connecting in the final third. But we’re super proud of them for battling and finding a way to win both games. This is a great tournament for us playing excellent competition as we head into district play starting Thursday.”
Radcliffe echoed similar thoughts for his Lady Dawgs, who saw goals from Landree Horner and Avery Stevens in a 2-0 victory over Science Hill Friday. The hosts followed that with a dramatic 4-3 win over Badin (OH) Saturday night, as Kennedy Lucas, Madi Bowlin and Leighton Corum found the net before Reese Underwood delivered the game-winner with a shutout from Fallyn Baker in the net.
It was a fitting finish for BHS, which is looking to new faces after the graduation of All-Americans Jayla Blue and Tyler Roth.
“They came out with a lot of offensive firepower and scored some great goals against us, but we were able to bounce back,” Radcliffe said. “I told the girls I was really happy with how we responded. I had six or seven freshmen on the field late in the game. With a big district game against Houston next weekend, you hope tournaments like this get you ready for those games.”
