The Gilmer High Bobcats wrapped up the regular season last Friday on the road.
GHS made its way to Dawson County to face the Tigers for their final region soccer match. While the Tigers entered the game with only one victory on the season, they left with their second. The scoreless tie was broken late in the second half and Dawson held on for a 1-0 win.
“It was just one of those nights where we played really well, and they defended with lots of numbers and it just didn’t go our way,” GHS head coach Simon Phipps said. “Senior nights, especially with teams with a lot of seniors, who have had not the best of luck in their season, sometimes just play their best game.
“They made it difficult by overloading the middle which in turn forced us wide and made shooting more difficult.”
The Bobcats used good ball movement and crisp passes on the night to make their way into Dawson territory but could never break through for a goal.
Their first clean shot came 17 minutes into the game with a 25-yard free kick by Julien Withrow, but it was saved.
GHS had two more shots over the course of the half but neither crossed the goal line. Withrow sent a nice cross into the box right before the half, but it rolled across the face of the goal without anyone there to meet it.
Dawson did little to threaten GHS goalkeeper Noah Turner, and his final save of the half came with under a minute to play.
Withrow and Tyler Jack both fired a shot through the opening eight minutes of the second half, but the Cats remained scoreless. Three minutes later following a string of nice passes, John Nix’s shot sailed just over the cross bar.
Withrow was fouled in the box 15 minutes into the half. His ensuing penalty kick smacked off the cross bar as GHS was still searching for its first goal.
With just under 12 minutes to play, Dawson scored. The Tigers won possession in a threatening position and a 22-yard shot directly in front of the gaol found the bottom right corner for a 1-0 DCHS lead.
The Bobcats frantically tried to even the score over the remaining 10 minutes, but their opportunities were limited as Dawson slowed the game’s pace and deployed defensive-minded tactics.
The region loss did not hamper Gilmer’s state prospects. The Cats’ season will continue into the state tournament after finishing fourth in the region standings.
“I am really pleased that the boys qualified for state this year. We would have gone last year for sure but COVID shut soccer down early and we never got to go,” Phipps said. “This year, we have been in a completely different region and we have played some very good teams, that play a different style of soccer to what we have become accustomed to. It has been difficult, but the boys have shown great resilience.
“The qualification for state playoffs is also a good motivator for the team next year. We will only lose four seniors and there is a good group of boys coming from the middle school and within our own squad.”
GHS topped Murray County 2-1 last Tuesday for a nonregion win and have a 6-5-1 overall record. GHS will begin the state tournament Wednesday at Coahulla Creek with a 6 p.m. kickoff.