The Gilmer High Lady Cats remain undefeated through the early weeks of the soccer season.
The latest team to tumble against the Cats were the Adairsville Tigers. Gilmer hosted AHS last Tuesday, and the Cats’ efforts paid off in the second half with a pair of long-range goals for a 2-1 win.
“We won a hard-fought battle with a well-organized Adairsville side that was 5-1 on the season coming in,” noted GHS head coach Adam Palmer.
It appeared Gilmer took an immediate lead when Yenifer Lopez scored in 40 seconds, but she was ruled offside. GHS continued to run its offense down the left wing for much of the first half.
Lady Cats Sophia Lykins, Yesica Tercero-Bautista and Carmelina Tercero continued to pepper Adairsville’s goalkeeper with shots through the first half, but they were all saved.
AHS managed a goal in the second half, while the Cats tallied two highlight reel goals. Both of Gilmer’s goals came after the Lady Cats struggled to score from close range for much of the final 40 minutes.
With 14:45 to play, Lykins tucked a shot inside the near post from the left flank. Three minutes later, Carly Becerra had a shot glance off the crossbar.
Adairsville put itself in position to salvage a draw with an 8-yard goal with 8:50 left in the game. However, Amayah Jones denied the Tigers when she sent the ball into the box from 40 yards out. Her offering from the right wing found the back of the net to improve Gilmer’s record to 3-0.
“Sophia scored a great goal at left forward, and Amayah scored the winning goal from distance,” Palmer said. “Yenifer had an early goal negated that was called offside early on. Carly had a shot from outside the box that hit the bar that we failed to finish. Sophomore Angelica Castenada had numerous saves in the goal that kept the momentum on our side.
“Starting four freshmen, four sophomores and three juniors, we are excited about what the future of GHS girls soccer holds. It was a complete team effort.”
Gilmer was in Cherokee Tuesday and will travel to Wesleyan Friday for a 5:30 p.m. match.