The Gilmer High Lady Cats’ soccer season has come to an end.
GHS was on the field last week for its last two matches of the season, which started Tuesday in Lumpkin County. The Indians are in second place in the standings and gave GHS its final region loss, 3-0.
The Cats were at home two days later for their regular season finale versus Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. All three goals were scored in the first half and the Warriors came away with a 2-1 victory.
Gilmer’s trip to Lumpkin was its first in nearly a decade, and GHS held the Indians in check for much of the opening half.
“The Lumpkin girls have always had a really solid soccer program. Venturing to their stadium was the first time in eight years so we have made that journey,” said head coach April Nicholson.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game. It was their senior night, and our goal was to make them work hard. Goalkeeper Caitlin Henderson kept a clean slate for the first 31 minutes of the half.”
However, LCHS was able to net a pair of goals from over 20 yards in the remaining nine minutes of the half for a 2-0 lead. Lumpkin did not waste any time after the break and added a third goal in the first minute.
The loss gave GHS a 1-6 region record on the season, and the Cats finished in seventh place.
“I have seen these girls work together as a team and grow both as individuals and as a team. I am so unbelievably proud of the way they played against some of our region and our state’s toughest competition,” Nicholson said.
“We were right there with them. We took several shots on goal, but we couldn’t get past their keeper. The future looks bright for the Lady Cat soccer program.”
LFO got both of its goals in the first half Thursday. GHS scored off the foot of senior Reagan Boling on a free kick. Nicholson noted the Cats dominated possession and shots on goal, but “We simply couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.”
Nicholson emptied her bench over the final 40 minutes of the nonregion match.
“In the second half, there were a lot of girls who deserved some playing time, but due to the closeness of some region games, hadn’t gotten very much. We got practically every girl on the team some playing time. We kept bringing the attack, yet we were unable to put anything past their keeper,” Nicholson said.
“The four-year seniors who are playing for us are among the most winning seniors of our program. We are very proud of them, and we wish them nothing but the best.”
Gilmer finished with an overall record of 3-10-1.