Gilmer took on one of the region’s top teams and battled until the end.
The GHS Lady Cats hosted the Calhoun Yellow Jackets (9-2) last Friday for their only match of the week. While the Cats controlled the action early, it was Calhoun who cashed in the first goal. They took that lead into the half and added two more. Gilmer came on strong toward the end of the match, and its efforts eventually paid off.
The Cats were unable to cut any further into the Jackets’ lead in a 3-1 defeat.
GHS kept the pressure on Calhoun early. The Cats were able to move into Jacket territory repeatedly, and the first shot came off the foot of Maggie Thompson five minutes into the game.
However, it was Calhoun that struck first two minutes later. A long pass down the right wing resulted in a close-range shot and goal inside the near post. While CHS created a handful of chances over the remainder of the half, none resulted in goals.
Gilmer’s best chance at an equalizer came with 5:30 before halftime. Lady Cat Joei Marshall rocketed a cross across the face of the goal, but no one was there to take advantage of her pass.
Calhoun came out with a more offensive-minded attack in the second half, which resulted in five shots over a 15-minute span. Three were on target and all were saved by GHS goalkeeper Mattie Jones.
The Jackets took advantage of a quick buildup down the left flank. They scored a close goal for a 2-0 lead with 18:09 left on the clock.
Six minutes later, CHS sent a cross into the box from the right wing. Another close goal resulted in a three-goal edge.
Gilmer got its goal just two minutes after that. Lady Cat Salma Gonzalez’s shot from 25 yards ricocheted off the crossbar and across the goal line.
Over the final 10 minutes, two Marshall shots were saved. A cross also found Thompson in the box, but she was unable to get enough of her foot on the ball.
The loss dropped the Cats’ record to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in the region.