GHS Bobcats, Lady Cats fall in latest matches
The Gilmer Bobcats and Lady Cats dropped both of their soccer matches.
GHS hosted Class 7A’s Cherokee last Tuesday, and the Warriors had their offense in gear. The Lady Cats were up first, and they missed some scoring opportunities while Cherokee did not on its way to a 6-0 win.
CHS scored a goal against the Bobcats in the first half and added three more late in the game and won, 4-0.
Gilmer began region play two days later at Dawson County. The Tigers scored three goals in each matchup to top the Lady Cats, 3-0, and the Bobcats, 3-2.
Versus Cherokee, the Lady Cats were poised to score early. Amayah Jones found herself behind the defense leading a breakaway, but her close-range shot was wide. GHS was called for a hand ball a minute later and CHS went ahead 1-0 with a 21-yard free kick.
Thirteen minutes prior to halftime, a Cherokee defender was able to run down a loose ball and clear it before it crossed the goal line. Five minutes later, GHS had the ball in a threatening position inside the 18-yard box, but CHS knocked it away.
The Warriors headed home a goal off a corner kick just before halftime. CHS scored eight minutes into the second half from a very tight angle inside the box. Near the midpoint of the half, CHS moved ahead 4-0 with a 20-yard goal.
The Warriors netted two more goals with less than 10 minutes to play.
“We are proud of the first half play,” said head coach Adam Palmer. “We had three great opportunities to score but unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net.”
Dawson scored two lightning-quick goals in the first half against the Lady Cats. Palmer made some adjustments, and DCHS added a final goal in the second half.
“We were down 2-0 in the first 10 minutes. We immediately adjusted formation to a 3-4-3 and began to see opportunities to possess and influence play,” said Palmer. “Unfortunately, the third goal occurred later in the second half. I am very proud of the team’s commitment to work until the final whistle.”
For the Bobcats, Cherokee was in control of the match through the opening 10 minutes, and goalkeeper Tayln Curtis made his first save shortly after 13 minutes of play. Three minutes later, Gilmer’s first shot came on a 22-yard free kick, but the ball sailed over the cross bar.
Cherokee’s efforts paid off nine minutes before the half. A Warrior made a run down the left wing, and a leading pass found him in stride. He pelted the ball into the net for a 1-0 halftime lead.
The score remained the same through the first 20 minutes of the second half, and Curtis continued to make saves. However, with 17 minutes to play, the Warriors scored a goal from 30 yards out. Six minutes latter, they scored off a 22-yard free kick. Cherokee’s final goal came with 5:20 to play.
“We played very well in the first half, even though we were down,” said head coach Taylor Johnstone. “The boys were putting passes together and maintaining possession, and we had several scoring attempts throughout the game.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t put it together. We held them off until the last 15 minutes until they broke it loose. As always, I’m proud of their effort and how we are continuing to adapt our style of play.”
Johnstone noted the Dawson County matchup was a physical one with many “no calls.” GHS pulled ahead 1-0 after 10 minutes of play when Brayner Ortiz sent a corner kick into the box. The ball eventually deflected off a DCHS player for an own goal.
Dawson played a long pass over the top, which was controlled by its striker. The play resulted in a goal to even the score.
GHS answered with a goal from Liam Engel. He received a through ball from Angel Garcia, and Engel’s shot slipped past a diving goalkeeper.
Dawson tied the score ahead of the half. Bobcat Alex Tercero lost possession on a very physical Dawson tackle, and the Tigers were off to the races. A shot from the left side found the back of the net.
DCHS scored the go-ahead goal at the midpoint of the second half. With 12:30 left to play, a GHS red card forced the Bobcats to play with 10 players, and they were unable to score the equalizer.
“We came out in the second half strong, play went back and forth a lot,” said Johnstone. “We just never could quite time up our runs right. We created some chances, played around the box a lot and in the corners, but couldn’t get it in the net.”
The Bobcats are 3-3 overall and the Lady Cats have a 6-2 record. They played Lumpkin County at press deadline and will travel to Calhoun Wednesday for games at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Bobcats will make their way to Dalton Academy Friday for a 7 p.m. match, while the Lady Cats travel to LaFayette for a 5:30 p.m. game.