October 11, 2022, The District 7A semi-finals were hosted by Smith County. The 5 pm game was between Watertown and York. Watertown won 8-0 to advance to Thursday night’s Championship game. Game 2 was between Smith County and Jackson County. Seven minutes was all it took for Aubrey Felice to net the first goal. She would again score at the 19-minute mark, but she was far from done. Felice would earn her hat trick with three minutes left in the half. Less than two minutes on the clock Smith County was pressing the goal but Jackson County would end up with their only goal, but it was on own goal that put the Lady Owls up 4-0 at the half. As the second half got started it only took five minutes for Aubrey Felice to score her fourth goal of the game putting Smith County up 5-0. With 18 minutes left in the game, Hannah Green scored her first goal of her high school career. Smith County won 6-0 and advanced to play against Watertown in the Championship game on Thursday October 13 at the Smith County Soccer Complex.
October 13, 2022, District 7A Championship between Smith County and Watertown took place at Smith County Soccer complex. Smith County started the game, scoring after 52 seconds. Aubrey Felice carried the ball while having three Watertown defenders covering her. Just inside the box she sent it across into the net so smoothly it took the crowd a minute to realize it was really a score. It was. With 21 minutes left in the first half Watertown was awarded a penalty kick after getting tangled up with the Lady Owl defenders in the box. Watertown scored on the PK which is the only time this season the Lady Tigers have scored on Keeper Eden Daniel. Bringing the game even 1-1. After a lot of solid back and forth, it would be under two minutes left in the first half when the next goal would appear. Aubrey Felice would carry the ball down the field wearing one defender, picked up a second defender on the left side, got to the box, went low shooting past defender number three and keeper to score her second. The Lady Owls led 2-1 over the Tigers as they went into the half.
The second half was more back and forth, lots of closely matched battles, strong work by the defense and keepers. Halfway through the half Hannah Green was coming down the field with her sight on the net but got detoured to the left where the ball ended up with her sister Gracie Green, who shot from almost at the home dugout sending the ball sailing beautifully into the net. There was still 20 minutes to go and neither team was giving an inch. At the final whistle, it would be Smith County who were the Champions winning 3-1.
Smith County Lady Owls are the 2022 District 7A Champions. They have won this title now for the fifth time and the 2022 Senior class has been part of three of those titles. In addition to the Championship title the Lady Owls brought home a few more awards. Head Coach Nicholus Bussell was awarded District Coach of the Year. Lady Owls who earned first team honors were: Gracie Green, Eden Daniel, Brianna Solomon and Abbi Williams. Second team Lady Owls were Kenzie Keen and Chelsae Litton. The District MVP was awarded to Sophomore Aubrey Felice, Defensive Player of the Year, Senior Ciara Jackson, and Offensive Player of the Year, Sophomore Kiley Jenkins.
Smith County will host Independence Academy on Tuesday October 18th at 6 pm at Smith County Soccer Complex for the Regional Semifinals. (Article and photos submitted by Vivian Shaffer) 
