Jacob Wilson

Chibesa/Clark Help Lift Wildcats Over Centenary

10/11/2017 2:32:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Todd Ryals

Box Score

Tuesday night the Louisiana College women's soccer team faced a non-conference match verses in-state opposition Centenary College. A rebounded shot off the goal post set up Bethel Chibesa for the only goal of the game for a 1-0 finish and the Wildcats second victory in the last thee outings.

The game started in Centenary's favor, with all the attack in their name. Pressing down the middle of the field and trying the Cat defense and goalkeeper Haley Clark, Centenary looked to take the game away.

Centenary had the most possession of the game behind a relaxed Wildcat press allowing for passes between defenders and the midfield.

But whenever they attacked the Cat goal, the Centenary players were met by an LC defender and quickly taken care of. When they did get behind the Cat backline, the crosses produced were ineffective, either played far above any head or away from anybody.

With limited stints of possession, the Cats were able to push down the field on a counterattack and catch Centenary off guard. Initially started by a Cat midfielder, Ashlyn Folse broke past the Centenary backline and tried a shot at goal.

The shot struck the top crossbar of the goal and bounced perfectly to the later arriving Bethel Chibesa, finishing the attack with her head in the 37th minute.

The goal did not affect Centenary much, still buzzing around looking for a goal and a tie. Not wanting to lose the lead, the remaining portion of the first and most of the second half LC kicked the ball long, away from their goal when in the midfield. The scheme worked as Centenary had to constantly restart their attack, which gave LC time to get their shape after each attempt.

Ten big saves by Clark truly kept the Cats in the match and ahead. Centenary fired from anywhere on the pitch, mainly from distance, but whenever there was space they went for it.

On the opposite side, Centenary's keeper, Maggie Pitcher, played off her line and in a sweeper keeper style. The strategy was effective, helping keep the Cat attack in check when playing balls forward but it nearly cost Pitcher a second goal on the night.

Coming in as a sub, Taylor Aubert's speed allowed her to get behind Centenary's backline and nearly around Pitcher. Getting a shot off later in the game but a ready defense bailed out the flying keeper.

The Cats win their second game of the season and move to 2-8-2 on the season, remaining 1-6 in American Southwestern Conference play. The Cars return to ASC play when the Sul Ross State Univ. Lobos come into town on Saturday. The match is set to kick off at noon. For more on the Lady Wildcats follow them on Facebook under Louisiana College Women's Soccer and Twitter at LC_WSOC.

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