The Gilmer High Bobcats picked up two more soccer wins last week.
GHS hosted the Trion Bulldogs for a nonregion match Tuesday before the Lumpkin County Indians came to town Friday.
Gilmer disposed of Trion (3-2) and toppled Lumpkin (4-1) for a region win to improve to 3-1 on the season.
“We have spent time talking about playing with the ball on the ground more, and we did a much better job of that,” head coach Simon Phipps said of the Trion win. “I think even though they scored first, we were in control of the game, and neither coach (Taylor) Johnstone nor I expected anything else apart from a win.”
Tuesday’s boys game was played before the girls at Trion’s request, which is normally not the case. GHS shuffled its lineup in the first half to give seniors plenty of time on the field.
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead a minute into the game when a simple run and centered pass resulted in a goal.
“The boys are not great when it comes to change of routine,” Phipps said. “Starting early, historically, has always been difficult for us. Add to that it was senior night, and there were formation and positional changes, this leads to uncertainty.”
The Bobcats settled in and controlled the match over the next 19 minutes. That entire stretch was played almost exclusively in Trion territory, but the Bobcats had no shots to show for their efforts.
The Bulldogs then had a quick buildup and run at goal, but their shot was wide in the game’s 22th minute. GHS got its first shot 15 seconds later, and five more followed over the final 17 minutes of the half.
Gilmer trailed 1-0 at the break and earned seven more shots over the game’s final 40 minutes.
GHS evened the score eight minutes into the second half. Nicholas Dean’s shot off the post was collected and put into the net by teammate Gabi Sanchez.
The Cats took the lead two minutes later when Julien Withrow was fouled in the box. He placed the ensuing penalty in the bottom left corner of the goal for a 2-1 Bobcat advantage.
The Bulldogs still had life and evened the score at 2-all with a 20-yard goal in the 18th minute of the half. Over the ensuing eight minutes, two Bobcat shots found the post, another hit the crossbar and one was saved.
However, with 7:14 to play, Withrow put GHS ahead for good when he scored a header from six yards away off a pass from Tyler Jack.
Trion did not receive any shots over the remainder of the game.
Versus Lumpkin Friday, the Indians jumped ahead after less than 12 minutes of play. GHS evened the score 11 minutes later when Christian Oxlaj netted a goal off an assist from Gaspar Perez.
Sanchez gave GHS a 2-1 lead a minute before halftime. Withrow scored in the game’s 64th minute, and GHS tacked on a final goal 12 minutes later when Sanchez scored once more.
“Our defense was really solid all night, and Noah Turner in goal really helped to keep us in the game,” Phipps said. “The score flattered us I think. Lumpkin has a solid squad with 10 seniors.
“I was very pleased with the overall performance. I think we controlled the second half defensively, and this allowed us to play some really nice soccer. As I have said before, there will be no easy games in this region, so to win is a big achievement for us.”