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Region Soccer Championship

Westview Defeats Lady Rebels in Bizarre Referee Walkout

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McKENZIE (October 18) — Martin Westview’s Lady Chargers were declared winners of the Region Championship soccer game against the Lady Rebels last Friday morning after a bizarre chain of events resulted in the game being suspended with three minutes to go in the contest last Thursday night at Bethel Stadium. The two teams had already met once in the regular season and met again for the District Championship at Martin which McKenzie won on penalty kicks. Now both teams met again for the Region Title and a chance to host a State Sectional.
Westview dominated action with four first half goals while McKenzie got on the board with a goal by Allie Chappell just before intermission. Westview added two more goals in the second half to take a 6-1 lead. Lady Rebel Goalkeeper Gracie Dillingham tallied 6 saves during the contest.
A Westview player was subbed out late in the second period and reportedly told someone on the sideline that an official had made derogatory remarks. The side judge on that side overheard the sideline comments and stopped play and notified the field referee. After conferring for a few minutes, the officials suspended the game and left the field forcing McKenzie and Martin school officials to contact the TSSAA to find out what to do.
The initial thought was since the suspension wasn’t weather related or a force of nature nor was there a player or coach ejected that the team causing the suspension would have to forfeit the contest. However following a conversation with McKenzie and Martin officials, the TSSAA ruled the association or region in this case should decide the outcome. Both teams opted not to play the final 3 minutes and agreed that Martin Westview won the contest and the Region Championship 6-1. Martin played host to a sectional match on Saturday while McKenzie went on the road to play Memphis East at Cordova High School.

Rebels, Soccer, Westview