By LORAN POSEY – Sports Editor
On March 31, the Clarke Central High School JV girls soccer team made the cross-town trip to Cedar Shoals High School looking to emerge as Classic City Champions, but neither team came away with a victory.
The Classic City Championship is arguably the most important game of the season for both Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School.
Photo by Gabrielle Saupe
That rivalry was renewed on Saturday, March 31, when the CCHS junior varsity girls soccer team traveled across Athens to face the Jaguars of CSHS.
The Jaguars received first possession of the ball. They kicked off and quickly penetrated the CCHS territory, but the defense held strong, setting the tone for a game in which the two defenses would play a critical role.
CSHS caught a break when CCHS strikers Vianey Salas and Jackie Ramos broke through the Jaguar defense and were in position for a shot on goal. To CSHS’ advantage, the attack ended with the blow of a referee’s whistle for an offside penalty.
Shortly following the penalty, the Gladiators stole possession of the ball and quickly made another effort on goal. Red jerseys filled the CSHS box as the CCHS offense looked to score first, but the Jaguar defense was able to clear the box and put the ball back in CCHS territory.
Following a series of CSHS attacks on the CCHS defense, the Gladiator offense came to life and made another resurgence. Salas fired off a shot on goal, but it was saved by the Jaguar goalkeeper.
Following the CCHS attack, it seemed as if the momentum was on the Gladiators’ side. However, the Jaguars were quick to rebound from the close call and made yet another attack into CCHS territory.
A CSHS shot on goal was saved by Gladiator goalkeeper Sheniqua Allen. But when she attempted to pass the ball to one of her defenders, the ball was intercepted by the CSHS forward.
The quick change in possession caught Allen out of position and the Jaguar striker broke away to the left. When Allen came out to cover the ball, the forward kicked a grounder across her body to the right bottom corner of the CCHS net, scoring the first goal of the game with 11:45 left in the first half.
After falling behind 1-0, the Gladiators intensified their offensive attack and had two shots on goal, both missing by inches to the left.
After a late CSHS drive, the half ended with the Jaguars leading, 1-0.
Photo by Gabrielle Saupe.
At halftime, girls JV soccer head coach Chris Hulse made some strategy adjustments and coverage corrections.
Four minutes into the second half, the Gladiators were already putting the pressure on CSHS with a shot on goal, but it was deflected by the Jaguar goalkeeper.
Following the save, the two teams struggled to find any sustained success. Momentum shifted back and forth between the two teams with every change in possession or shot on goal.
The Gladiators finally found some success with 21:36 left in the second half when Salas broke away with the ball, out-maneuvered three Jaguar defenders and shot the ball into the left corner of the CSHS goal. The goal equalized the score at 1-1, but the Gladiators had little time to celebrate.
The Jaguar offense immediately pressured the Gladiator defense and took a shot on goal. Allen made another save to keep the score tied. However, CSHS quickly found their way back into CCHS territory.
As the CCHS defense attempted to stop the Jaguar forwards, Allen was penalized for leaving the box and using her hands to take the ball.
CSHS was awarded a free kick, a lucky opportunity to take the lead late in the game, but the shot sailed left of the goal.
The Gladiators received a similar opportunity following a Jaguar handball inside the box. Unfortunately for CCHS, a CSHS wall blocked the penalty kick that was attempted by Julie Rios.
Following the two penalties, the Jaguars received another opportunity to take the lead. With 17:00 left in the second half, a foul in the box gave CSHS a penalty kick. The shot missed the goal, sailing inches over the crossbar.
With time running down and the scored still tied, the two teams could not afford to miss any more golden opportunities if they wanted to win the match.
Neither team seemed satisfied with a tie as their play became more ambitious and their tempo became faster.
As the clock kept ticking, the two teams continued exchanging offensive possessions but no goals were allowed.
Photo by Gabrielle Saupe.
With 3:25 left to play in the match, Salas broke away from the Jaguar defense yet again, but her shot was just left of the left post. Another Gladiator attack with under a minute left to play ended in a shot that sailed wide right of the goal.
With only seconds left on the clock, the Jaguars made a final effort to score but failed as time ran out.
The final score of 1-1 brought the CCHS JV girls soccer team’s overall record to 4-6-1.
“I felt like we were good, but we could have done better,” Allen said. “This game was supposed to be ours. I feel a little disappointed, because I knew my team had potential.”
The Gladiators will get the opportunity to face the Jaguars again before the season is over.
“I think we tried very hard, but I don’t think a lot of the team is happy with a tie,” junior Ilaina Burns said. “I’m excited to try again. We have them again our second to last game. A tie is better than a loss, but it is unsettling. I feel like it’s not finished.”
