The Gilmer Bobcats have reversed their fortunes and are unbeaten in their last four soccer matches.
GHS earned a needed region victory to end last week against White County. The Warriors were in town Friday, and the Bobcats got the winning goal off the boot of Brayner Ortiz for a 3-2 win.
Gilmer was at home three days earlier for a showdown versus Chestatee. The two teams each had a goal to their credit in the 1-1 nonregion draw.
Head coach Taylor Johnstone discussed the win over White and the Bobcats’ current run of play.
“The boys are now 3-0-1 since dropping seven straight in the middle of the season,” Johnstone said. “We are truly playing some of our best ball right now, but our timing is unfortunate. Before the game, the boys listened to a guest speaker deliver a message about grit, and that happened to be the theme of the night.”
Gilmer got off to a shaky start, but White did not have anything to show for its early chances. The Warriors’ forward hit a well-struck ball 20 seconds into the game, but Talyn Curtis was there for the save. WCHS received three corner kicks over the next eight minutes but could not find the back of the net.
GHS scored the first goal 10 minutes into the game. Liam Engel intercepted a WCHS pass near midfield before turning inside and sending a perfectly-weighted pass down the right side. Sebastian Lucas outpaced the nearest defender to the ball and fired a shot across the goal into the bottom left corner.
White did cash in eight minutes later. The Warriors’ fourth corner kick of the night found an open player, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Engel then put pressure on White defenders on two occasions with some fancy footwork, but both shots were saved.
The score remained tied at the break. GHS was fouled inside the box 10 minutes into the second half, but Ortiz’s penalty shot flew over the crossbar.
The Cats pulled ahead four minutes later. Keby Puac put his head into a corner kick and sent the ball toward the goal. A Warrior attempted to knock the ball away, but it glanced off his foot and into the goal.
White tied the game just minutes later when it picked off a lazy GHS pass in Bobcat territory and sent a pass over the top to a charging forward. The ensuing 11-yard shot evened the score at 2-2.
Gilmer scored the game winner with 9:26 to play. Jorge Flores switched the ball to the left wing to Miguel Reynoso. After a give and go with Ortiz, Reynoso was back down the left flank, and he sent a cross into the box. While a Warrior headed the ball out of the box, Ortiz was waiting and scored a 24-yard volley inside the near post.
“Volleys are something we have been improving on striking as a team,” said Johnstone. “Too many times we try to settle and take a touch. Before the game, I asked the team to take a chance and try to blast one when the opportunity comes. Brayner decided to take his chance and scored what I believe is one of his best goals of his career at GHS.
“We relied heavily on our bench, and Lucas, Reynoso and Flores all stepped up when they were on the pitch. Lucas, Engel, Puac and Ortiz played outstanding from an offensive standpoint. Our defense and keeper held tough, and I’m very proud of them.”
Engel scored four minutes into the Chestatee match Tuesday with the assist coming from Lucas. The War Eagles tied the match three minutes before the half, and no goals were scored over the final 40 minutes.
“We were glad to come away with a draw,” said Johnstone. “Our boys played great defense to keep Chestatee shooting from distance most of the night. We were proud of the boys to come out and strike early. Our team is improving. The last time we played them we lost, 9-0.”
GHS is 6-7-1 and 2-3 versus region foes. Gilmer will play its region finale at home April 9 versus Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m.