Lady Wildcats Draw with Millsaps

9/14/2017 8:15:00 AM

By: LC Sports Information - Todd Ryals

Box Score

The Louisiana College Lady Wildcats, following their scoreless tie to LSU-S, looked ready to continue their form against the short-staffed Lady Majors of Millsaps. The Majors made the first moves opening with two not far off shots from Grayston Barron and Lindsay Redhead within the first 10 minutes. The Cats were not shaken up as they would go and try to score themselves but the backline of the Majors were in sync stopping multiple Cat attacks with offsides decisions.

Exchanging wide shots and fouls the two sides looked even and stagnate, satisfied with possession in their own half and not moving forward with much venom.

Sophomore McKenna Raines tried her luck from distance as she saw Major keeper Olivia Gattuso off her line; the shot was wide but made the Majors cautious of her right leg's strength. The following goal kick would catch the Wildcats out of position allowing for a quick passage to work the ball into the Cats final third only to be disappointed by a Lexi Tate save in the 26th minute.

Noticing a lack of attack Wildcat's head coach Samantha Etherington subbed in freshman forward Taylor Aubert to hopefully create something for the Cats. It instead was her opposition that created chances. Major Aimee Leachman would test the LC defense with her right foot. Sparking two shots from mid-range, one wide and the other between the posts and eventually between Tate's gloves. Aubert wouldn't let her counterpart steal the show, running with pace at the Milsap backline, she would blast one at Gattuso only to be stopped short of the line.

Two more changes would come from Etherington's side, inserting more offensive minded players. Senior Isabella Santamaria stepped into the mid-field and within five minutes found the goal forcing Gattuso to make another important save.

Minutes later the Majors would respond with their own effort behind Grayston Barron. Barron would net her first goal of the season in the 44th minute after a well-placed right footed in-swinger from Riley Fobare set Barron up for a one-time finish past an outstretched Tate.

The final whistle blew and the Cats went in the half down 1-0. Restarting the ball after the break the game would return slowly. Tired legs would limit the progression for the Wildcats as Milsaps opened up with a high long range Redhead effort smacking the crossbar waking up the Cats.

Minutes later Aubert would break through the Major defense but Gattuso's position created a tough shot and was able to stop the shot. The close range effort would soon be forgotten as later on after a couple failed counterattacks the right foot of Wildcat Raines would this time beat Gattuso from distance leveling the scoreline. Gathering possession of the ball Raines would find space and from around 30 yards out rocket her shot to the upper left side of the goal, creating an ecstatic reaction from the Wildcat bench as the Cats were back in the game.

Raines shot would be the final materialized attack from either side as the final whistle blew and two ten minute overtime periods would be added to determine if a winner could emerge.

The first overtime period yielded only one shot, a grounded effort from Kayleigh Sims of Milsaps easily grabbed by junior goalkeeper Haley Clark. Both sides were moving the ball around never penetrating either backline waiting for the perfect opportunity, which didn't come.

The second overtime period was a display of exhausted legs and poor challenges. The Wildcats had five fouls giving the Majors opportunity to send a long ball in; fortunately for the Cats none were dangerous. Clark would only be tested once, a Leachman shot would cause her to move but the game was done after the first 90. Both sides didn't show much desire for additional time and the extra time would only end up as a testament to the fitness level the girls had.

The Wildcats have two quick days to recover as conference play is around the corner when the Belheaven Blazers also make the three-hour drive from Jackson for a 2 p.m. showdown Saturday.

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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