MT. BERRY, Ga. – Maryville men's soccer took their winning momentum into Sunday, defeating regionally ranked No. 8 Berry 1-0 at Bob Pearson Field. The victory marked a significant result for the Scots, who notched their fourth win of the season while handing the Vikings just their second loss of the year.
Berry, known for its attacking depth and high regional standing, came out aggressive, forcing Maryville into a defensive stance for much of the first half. The Vikings tallied six shots and earned a pair of corners in the opening 45 minutes, but the Scots' back line and goalkeeper Tanner Ricks proved unshakable. Ricks recorded a pair of early saves to keep the match level heading into halftime.
The second half saw Berry intensify its pressure, firing 13 shots and taking eight more corners. Ricks was again up to the task, finishing the day with six saves against 19 total Viking shots.
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. After a quick buildup, Ethan Denney threaded a pass to Brady Hammer, who buried his chance into the back of the net.
Berry pushed hard in the final 10 minutes, but Maryville's defense refused to bend. Ricks stopped two more shots in the closing moments, and the back line weathered a flurry of late corner kicks before the final whistle secured the shutout.
Maryville finished with eight shots and four corner kicks, making the most of its attacking opportunities against one of the region's top defenses. Hammer led the way with four shots, while Denney provided the key assist.
With the win, the Scots improve to 4-2-4 overall and 1-0-0 in league play, while Berry drops to 5-2-3. Beyond the numbers, the victory over a regionally ranked top-10 opponent is a testament to Maryville's resilience and growing confidence as the season turns toward its critical stretch.
The Scots return to action on Tuesday in a home CCS matchup against the Warren Wilson Owls at 7:00 PM.
