The Gilmer High Bobcats split their nonregion soccer matches last week.
GHS welcomed North Murray to town Wednesday, and the Mountaineers netted a goal in the opening half and two more in the second for a 3-0 victory.
The Bobcats were on the road two days later at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. GHS stormed to a four-goal lead in the first half, and coach Simon Phipps used the game’s final 40 minutes to get all of his players time on the field en route to a 4-2 victory.
“North Murray is a good solid program, they are well-coached and well-organized,” Phipps said. “They have historically been very good and play a hard physical, quick-passing game.
“I feel like it was closer than the final score reflected, and there were some calls that did not go our way. We have five senior starters, and everyone else that rotates through are younger. We are playing well, but are just a second (slower) or a foot short of the passing of our final ball. This was only our fourth varsity game, and we have played very good opposition so far.”
NMHS broke through for the game’s first goal after 12 minutes of play. A long Gilmer shot minutes later sailed high, and the Mountaineers continued to create chances.
North Murray had three corner kicks over an ensuing 10-minute span, but Gilmer was able to clear the threat each time. A searing shot also veered wide of the post. A 25-yard free kick 11 minutes before the half was saved by Bobcat defender Domingo Loarca.
NMHS kept up its aggressive offensive play in the second half.
GHS was fouled in the box with 20 minutes left in the match, but Fredy Sanchez’s penalty was saved. Moments later, an 18-yard shot by Cesar Garcia slipped though the legs of North Murray’s goalkeeper. While the ball appeared to touch the goal line, the referee deemed it did not cross completely, and Gilmer was denied a goal.
NMHS added a second goal with 11:20 to play and scored a third three minutes later.
The Cats wasted little time versus LFO. Julien Withrow scored after 11 seconds of play off an assist from John Nix. Tyler Jack added a second goal 12 seconds later for a lightning-quick 2-0 lead.
Bobcat David Reynoso sent a shot into the upper right corner of the net 24 minutes before the half and scored a second goal two minutes prior to the break.
“We made a number of player and positional changes in the second half, and at no point did I feel that we were going to lose the game,” Phipps said. “We are still struggling with the weather and getting players playing time, but it was good to see all 20 boys in a competitive situation, something that really cannot be reproduced during practice.
“The boys played well, but we are still not at our best, and there is always room for improvement. We will watch some film and talk about what we did well and what we need to improve before we play Ridgeland for the first region game of the year.”
GHS is 1-3 overall, and Friday’s kickoff at Ridgeland is set for 7:30 p.m.