Senior Sofia Lopez and the rest of the CCHS girls varsity soccer team played region opponent Flowery Branch High School on March 17 in Billy Henderson Stadium. “To play an opponent like Flowery Branch who we have so much respect for just really made it a great situation for us coming into the night,” girls assistant varsity coach Scott Moore said. Photo by Jordan Rhym.
By HANNAH GALE LAST – News Sports Editor
The Clarke Central High School girls varsity soccer team lost to Flowery Branch High School on March 17.
The buzzer sounded, tears streamed, prayers were said, and the girls left the field. The Clarke Central High School girls varsity soccer team took on the Flowery Branch High School girls varsity soccer team on March 17 at Billy Henderson Stadium.
“Well they were a little frazzled at the beginning but once they settled down they really made a game of it, and once we got that first goal they really turned it on and put the heat on Flowery Branch and made them push there at the end,” girls varsity assistant coach Scott Moore said.
The game was important for the team, not only because it was a Region 8-AAAAA game but it was also Eve Carson Memorial Night and a way to honor Karla Dougan, a teammate who was in a serious car accident in December.
“Every single game is special to us because it’s a way to improve, but like tonight was for Eve and for Karla too, to show that we’re here and we all were going to stay strong for Karla and for Eve, to always remember her,” CCHS senior and team captain Maria Somilleda said.
CCHS struggled to put any wins on the board against FBHS, whose team is ranked number two in the Region. With only 17 minutes left in the game, Clara Peterson put the only point on the scoreboard for CCHS.
“Well once they kind of got back to their identity and started playing the game the way they know how to play, they were able to play with them and put a lot of pressure on them at the end of the first half and carry that onto the second half as well,” Moore said.
Though CCHS lost to FBHS 3-1, Moore believes that a lot of players stepped up to the challenge.
“A lot of people played well. (Clara) Peterson showed a lot of hustle out on the wing and scored our goal for us,” Moore said. “Ruby Moreno was like a super sub off the bench, got the assist. We had good keeper play the majority of the night, but there were a lot of really good players out there tonight.”
