The Gilmer High Lady Cats found themselves in a pair of closely-contested matches.
GHS made its way to Union County last Tuesday, and its meeting with the Panthers was tied after regulation. Because it was a nonregion match, it ended in a 2-2 draw.
Gilmer hosted West Hall Friday and saw its two-goal lead disappear to the Spartans. The score was even at 2-2 after regulation and a pair of overtime periods. WHHS then eked out a 4-3 win on penalty kicks to hand the Cats a region loss.
GHS got on the board first against UCHS when a Faith Goodwin tackle in a dangerous position knocked the ball loose to teammate Yenifer Lopez. She then led Sophia Lykins into the box with a perfect pass that was received and put inside the near post.
Just before the half, Union’s forward was able to outmuscle a pair of GHS defenders for a shot, which goalkeeper Angelica Lopez-Castenada could not corral. Union knocked in the rebound to even the score.
Shortly after halftime, the Lykins-Lopez connection was back in action. This time, Lykins’ pass led a charging Lopez who scored inside the near post from the right side.
UCHS scored the equalizer with 10:25 to play. A cross was settled right in front of the net and scored. GHS was fouled inside the box in the waning moments of the match, but Lykins’ penalty was saved and the game ended in a tie.
“Our defense played well again, and we continue to grow starting a young team,” said head coach Adam Palmer.
GHS wasted little time versus West Hall, and Lykins gave the Cats a lightning quick lead two minutes into the match.
Gilmer continued to test the Spartans’ goalkeeper, and another goal came after 15 minutes of play. A Lady Cat corner kick flew into the box and ricocheted off a West Hall defender and across the goal line for a 2-0 GHS lead.
Disaster struck for the Cats in the final 10 minute of the half. With 7:22 before the break, a Gilmer hand ball set the Spartans up with a 25-yard free kick. The shot sailed over goalkeeper Lopez-Castenada’s grasp for a goal.
Just over a minute later, a Spartan shot slipped through Lopez-Castenada’s hands and into the net.
Neither team was able to break the 2-2 tie over the 40 minutes of the second half. Lykins had an opportunity to give GHS the lead with 54 seconds left, but her penalty shot was saved. West Hall’s goalkeeper knocked the ball directly back to Lykins, but her ensuing shot missed the goal.
Following two 10-minute overtime periods, the score was still even and a penalty shootout was needed. Each team selected five players, and Gilmer’s Lopez, Lykins and Yesica Tercero-Bautista made their shots.
WHHS made three penalty kicks as well. After GHS missed its sixth attempt and the Spartans made theirs, West Hall celebrated the win.
“It was a tough loss,” Palmer said. “We had a lot of good individual play but couldn’t seem to close the door. Sophia Lykins scored again as we put two goals up quickly in the first half.
“Angelica had another great game in goal. I can say that the game Friday gave our young team valuable experience to prepare for the future.”
GHS is 3-2-1 overall and hosted Dawson County at press deadline and will travel to White County Friday for a 5:30 p.m. match.