A rematch between the Lady Highlanders soccer team and the Summit Charter Lady Bears on Thursday night, April 18, netted a 2-1 win for the Lady Highlanders – a triumph after their 3-1 loss in March.
The entire field was in play and the teams were closely matched. Every time one player got a hold on the ball, a rival was on their tail chasing them as if the two were racing.
The Lady Highlanders got the first goal within 10 minutes of the game’s start and scored again before the first half was up.
Coming back after halftime, the Lady Bears scored a goal, which would be the final one scored in the game.
The Lady Highlanders stopped their opponents from scoring thanks to a tenacious defense, but also weren’t able to break through the Lady Bears’ defense.
With less than two minutes left on the clock, things began to heat up. The Lady Highlanders put a shot on the goal, which the Lady Bears’ goalie caught with a high jump. With 30 seconds to go, the Lady Bears then delivered a shot, which the Lady Highlanders’ goalie caught – safely securing a 2-1 win for the Lady Highlanders.
Coach Caleb Brown said it had been a refreshing win since the team had lost to the Lady Bears in their first game this season on March 5.
“To come back and win at home, I think that’s a really big deal. It feels good, and they put a lot of hard work,” he said, describing the mood of the team as “super positive.”
Brown said he was satisfied with the way the season was going.
“The main things we’ve got to keep working on and improving is, like our first touch on the ball, when we settle the ball to make a good pass, we’re working on that,” he said. “Communication on the field, passing the ball in small spaces. But it’s been such a great journey to watch them. They’ve really grown into the game, and grown into their positions, and they’re playing at much more mature levels.”
The Lady Highlanders have been on a tear for several games now, winning their last four in a row. Their record for the season thus far is 7-4, putting them second in conference to the Swain County High Lady Devils. On Monday, April 22, the two teams played against one another at Swain’s field in Bryson City.