Maybe Warren County just needed a wake-up call.
Soddy Daisy provided one almost immediately Thursday night, scoring less than three minutes into its Senior Night matchup with the Lady Pioneers. Warren County responded like it has so many times this season - by settling down, digging in and finding a way to win.
Gisell Escamilla erased the deficit early in the second half before senior Maci McBride blasted home the eventual game-winner from long range as Warren County rallied for a 2-1 road victory.
The Lady Pioneers improved to 11-2-1 with their third straight win.
"This was another quality win for our girls, but we certainly had to work extremely hard to earn the outcome," said coach Todd Willmore. "For whatever reason, we once again got off to a slow start and looked a little lethargic in the first half."
Soddy Daisy wasted no time taking advantage.
The home team played a through ball behind Warren County's defense in the opening three minutes and a runner broke free down the right side before finishing the opportunity to give Soddy Daisy an early 1-0 advantage.
It proved to be the only breakthrough Warren County would allow.
The Lady Pioneer defense settled in following the early mistake and kept Soddy Daisy from adding to its lead for the remainder of the match. Warren County created chances of its own throughout the opening half, but couldn't find the equalizer before the break.
The pressure finally paid off more than 10 minutes into the second half, with Izzy Rodriguez providing the hustle that started everything.
Rodriguez chased down a ball headed toward the end line, beat a Soddy Daisy defender to it and somehow kept it in play. She then played the ball off the defender to earn Warren County a corner.
Noelle Bratcher delivered the ensuing corner toward the top of the 18-yard box and Escamilla fired through traffic. The Soddy Daisy keeper never saw the shot coming as it found the net and evened the match at 1-1.
"The goal tied the match and appeared to give our girls an extra boost of confidence and motivation," said Willmore.
They didn't wait long to strike again.
Soddy Daisy tried to clear the ball beyond midfield shortly afterward, but McBride aggressively stepped in front of a forward and took possession.
The senior defender immediately turned defense into offense.
McBride dribbled into open space and, from well beyond the top of the 18-yard box, unleashed a shot that found the back of the net to put Warren County ahead 2-1.
It was McBride's first goal of the season and a memorable one for a senior who has spent most of the year making sure opponents don't score at the other end.
"It was a great individual effort and an excellent way to take the lead," said Willmore.
Once ahead, Warren County didn't give it back.
Soddy Daisy continued battling and created some back-and-forth action down the stretch, but the Lady Pioneers managed the match and protected their one-goal advantage until the final whistle.
The comeback continued a season-long trend for a Warren County team that has rarely been rattled when things don't go according to plan.
The Lady Pioneers have won with shutouts, offensive explosions, penalty-kick shootouts and late goals. Thursday, they added another comeback to the list.
"It wasn't necessarily our cleanest start, but the girls showed great resilience, responded to adversity and found a way to get the job done," said Willmore. "Those are the kinds of wins that can build confidence and character as we continue to move forward."
Only one regular-season test remains.
Warren County will travel to Sparta Tuesday, Oct. 6 to face White County at 6 p.m. before turning its attention toward the postseason.
Brent Carden file photo - It’s been a season full of celebrations for the Lady Pioneers, including Thursday on the road at Soddy Daisy.
