The Gilmer Bobcats slogged their way through the week for a trio of soccer matches.
GHS played all three games on the road, and first up was Lumpkin County last Tuesday. While the score was tied at the half, four Indian goals over the final 40 minutes gave GHS a 5-2 loss.
Next up was Calhoun Wednesday, and the Yellow Jackets’ swampy home field provided a challenge for the Bobcats who were defeated, 4-1.
Gilmer took on Dalton Academy the following day. The Pumas rode the wave of their three-goal halftime lead to a 3-2 victory.
At Lumpkin, a foul inside the box in the opening minute set up an Indian penalty and goal. A LCHS foul with eight minutes ahead of the half gave GHS a free kick from 45 yards out.
“Noah Turner hit a very high and well-placed free kick into the box which was meant by freshman Calvin Lian, who outjumped his defender for a fantastic header to level it up,” said head coach Taylor Johnstone.
Lumpkin added its second goal just before the half. LCHS pelted a 28-yard free kick that was saved by Gilmer’s Landon Hamby. However, the Indians were quick to outpace the Bobcats to the ball and tapped in the rebound.
Gilmer was able to even the score with 16 minutes left in the game. Bobcat Brayner Ortiz was taken down inside the box and put the penalty in the back of the net.
LCHS went ahead for good two minutes later. Hamby’s goal kick was intercepted, and the Indians took advantage to pull ahead, 3-2.
“Hamby got his first career start in goal, and made the most of it. He made some big highlight saves,” Johnstone said. “Very proud of how well he performed. He did very well.”
Calhoun attacked for three goals in the opening 21 minutes. GHS got on the board with 10 minutes left in the game. A long Turner free kick skipped across the Jackets’ field and into the box. Freshman Carter Gearhart sent the ball into the net for Gilmer’s lone goal.
CHS scored its fourth two minutes later.
“They were very good, and they played a great game and were well coached,” Johnstone said of Calhoun. “Eight freshmen have earned the chance to travel with us the past two games, and they are competing for spots and earning playing time.”
Dalton Academy struck for two goals in 10 minutes. The first came when an unmarked player had plenty of time to dribble and fire a shot. The second was a header off a corner kick.
GHS scored a goal five minutes later. Lian snatched a Puma pass at midfield and passed to Kelby Puac, who made a man miss. He then sent the ball to a charging Sebastian Lucas, who got to the ball before the Puma goalkeeper and scored.
DA scored once more before the half to lead, 3-1, and GHS drew with a goal with 16 minutes to play. This time Lucas intercepted a DA pass and passed the ball down the right flank to Ortiz. The Puma keeper knocked the ball away, but he did not clear the threat. A persistent Ortiz kicked the loose ball into the back of the net.
The Bobcats had another threatening scoring opportunity with just over 12 minutes to play, but they were unable to even the score.
“The boys left it all on the field, and we relied on the bench to keep people fresh,” said Johnstone. “We have several bench players stepping up and earning playing time. The boys morale is high, and I feel they have seen glimpses of how well we can play, and we are getting closer to putting it all together.”
GHS is 3-6 overall and travels to West Hall Friday for an 8 p.m. game.