The Lady Owls played a tough district game against the Livingston Academy Wildcats last Tuesday evening, September 13. Livingston came out strong and scored within the second minute after kickoff. Th Lady Owls were unsuccessful in tying up the score as Livingston pulled further ahead with another goal, which was scored by number 19 as she charged the ball. This caused Lady Owl goalie Tori Lankford to challenge the player one on one, but she missed the ball, and the Wildcats were up 2-0.
With only 15 minutes left in the first half, Maijala Harrelson was able to put Smith County on the board as she received a pass across the six, putting it into the lower corner far left. The Lady Owls felt a glimmer of hope to tie up the game before halftime, with trailing by one point. This was not to be the case, however, as the Wildcats were given a free kick. The kick landed off a Smith County defender near the upper left corner, which then sent the ball across the six and into the net. The goalie attempted to lay out for the ball but missed. The score was 1-3 Livingston Academy.
The second half still proved to be challenging for the Lady Owls when the Wildcats broke down the defense with the long ball to 19 once again and scored within the first two minutes of the second half. Number 19 scored yet again when a ball was chipped over the Smith County defense from the Wildcat midfield,allowing her to run onto it and one touch it into the net. This put the score at 1-5 Wildcats. The Lady Owls seemed defeated, as another goal was landed by a long ball to 19, seconds later — bringing the score up to 1-6.
Coaches Dunbar and Smith knew something had to be done in order to contain the long balls being played to number 19, so they subbed out mid-fielder Abbi Gregory in order to put her at sweeper in the back. This position is created in order to catch any long balls that are chipped over the original defensive line. In doing so, the opposing team can’t run onto the ball and score behind the defense. Once the plan was in place, they moved Caitlin Griffin into the sweeper position and Gregory back to mid-field. The change in formation worked for the Lady Owls. The Wildcats still played the long ball, but Griffin was there to regain possession and distribute the ball back up field. Smith County was able to add another point on the board with a penalty kick. Lexi Felts was tripped in the box, and Abby Smith took the PK. She was able to keep it low and to the right corner, allowing the Lady Owls to rise and set the score 6-2. With about nine minutes to go in the second half, Maijala Harrelson was subbed out with Mallory Dillon after taking a direct hit with the ball from the goalie’s punt on top of the head, resulting in a concussion. Smith was then moved to the middle of the field and was able to score one last time for the Lady Owls after taking possession and using the one touch shot into the lower right corner. End of game score was 6-3 Livingston Academy.
Game summary submitted, edited
Lady Owl Captain Abby Smith
Kristen Shoulders and Caitlin Griffin work together to defend against a Livingston Wildcat
Breanna Clayborne
Alyssa Williams and Majala Harrelson attempt to score off a corner kick
