The Gilmer Bobcats have secured a soccer state playoff berth.
GHS was in Pickens last Friday to take on the winless Dragons, and the Bobcats made sure their rough season continued. The Bobcats took a two-goal lead into the half and continued to pour it on over the final 40 minutes for a 6-0 win.
The Cats hosted Lumpkin three days prior, and the rough-and-tumble game included three penalty shots. It was LCHS who benefited from a costly foul in the final minute, and the Indians escaped with a 3-2 victory.
The Pickens win gave GHS the opportunity to get all 25 players into the match.
“We were able to get everyone who traveled some much needed game experience,” said head coach Taylor Johnstone. “It gave us a chance to improve some things we have been working on in practice and even try a new formation. The first half we were up 2-0, but I felt we could have played with some better technique. I challenged the players to pick up their efforts and give just a little more. They accepted and the game busted open scoring four more in the second half.
“We were glad to pick up a region win, especially one that clinched our playoff spot. The boys played hard and improved on several things we have been working on. This was our first win against Pickens since I joined our team five years ago.”
Jorge Flores gave GHS a 1-0 lead 17 minutes into the match when he launched a missile from 30 yards out and into the back of the net. Six minutes before the half, Sebastian Lucas scored a close-range goal with an assist from Brayner Ortiz.
Once the Bobcats got their offense in gear in the second half, there was no stopping their attack.
After 12 minutes of play, Ortiz scored a 15-yard goal from the right side. After receiving a pass from Flores, Ortiz made a sharp turn inside the box and sent the ball into the upper-left corner of the net.
Fifty-two seconds later, Lleison Puac added a fourth goal from 10 yards out. With 17 minutes on the clock, Flores out maneuvered two defenders down the left flank and scooted a 10-yard shot past the keeper inside the near post.
The Bobcats kept pressing forward and were rewarded with a sixth goal with 5:22 on the clock. Alex Tercero made a threatening run inside the box, and when the goalkeeper came off his line and fell down, Tercero chipped the ball into the net.
The victory improved the Bobcats’ record to 6-5 overall, which includes a 3-2 mark in region play.
GHS controlled the first 25 minutes of the match versus Lumpkin. Shots by Connor Seim, Keby Puac and William Zarate kept the pressure on the Indians’ defense. However, LCHS started to gain some offensive rhythm over the final 15 minutes of the half. The the Indians headed home a goal with 12:35 on the clock to lead 1-0 at the break.
The teams traded shots to begin the second half. Some overly aggressive play by Lumpkin led to a foul in the box. Flores made the penalty to even the score with 17:20 left in the game.
Three minutes later, Lumpkin’s goalkeeper dove through the legs of a Gilmer forward for another foul. Camden Lyles made the penalty for a 2-1 edge. The Indians continued to press forward, and they tied the score once again with a goal following a corner kick with just 4:34 to play.
Both teams desperately tried to pull ahead in the waning minutes, and GHS was called for a foul inside the box on a Lumpkin corner kick. LCHS made the penalty and held on over the final 42 seconds for the win.
“It’s always hard to play a game on senior night,” Johnstone said. “It’s emotional for the seniors, their families, coaches and for the rest of the team. This was especially true as we met together in the locker room for one last time at home. We knew that Lumpkin was talented, and that it was going to be a tough game.
“At halftime we made some tactical adjustments and played a much better second half. Drawing two fouls in the box helped. In the end, we lost the game because we lost our composure. Keeping our composure at all times was a topic of discussion the next day.”
GHS travels to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Thursday for a 7 p.m. match.