The Gilmer Lady Cats earned three more sound soccer victories to improve to 6-0 on the season, and junior Yenifer Lopez has racked up 18 goals.
GHS was on the road at Fannin County Monday before a pair of home matches. The Lady Rebels, wind, rain nor cold temperatures were not enough to slow Gilmer in an 11-2 trouncing.
The Cats hosted Trion the following day, and the Lady Bulldogs were handed a 4-2 defeat. Gilmer ended the week Friday versus Union County. While the Panthers have gotten the better of the Cats in recent seasons, GHS turned the tables for a 2-0 win.
Lopez’s 18 goals ranks No. 1 nationally, according to MaxPreps.com, whose statistics are user driven and may be submitted by coaches. She put six in the back of the net when Gilmer crushed Fannin. Also adding goals and continuing their strong seasons were Callie Wise with two and Amalia Perez Escobar, Gimena Domingo-Tercero and Estephany Becerra added one apiece.
Trion played with 10 players in the second half, and Lopez scored four more goals in the victory, with one coming from the penalty spot.
“We are happy with the result and the combined team effort in the 11-2 victory at Fannin. The wind and weather definitely made for interesting playing conditions,” said head coach Adam Palmer.
“We improved our team play with a hard-fought win over Trion. A straight red card was given to Trion in the second half for aggressive play outside of the playing field. Despite several fouls that forced substitutions for us late into the game, we maintained focus and composure and came away with the result.”
Both Lopez and Perez-Escobar scored versus Union, and Gilmer’s 2-0 win marked its second shutout of the season.
“We are proud of the team continuing to work together and improve throughout the season. Our focus will continue to be passing and movement as we prepare for upcoming games,” said Palmer.
The Lady Cats are ranked No. 8 in Class 3A, according to Scoreboard.com. Also ranked in the top 10 are region foes Wesleyan (No. 2), Lumpkin County (No. 3) and Dawson County (No. 4).
Gilmer hosts Ringgold Thursday at Huff-Mosley at 5:30 p.m.