The Liberty County girls’ soccer team notched its first Region 3-AAAA win of the year by defeating Statesboro High, 2-0, on Tuesday at Donell Woods Stadium.
Lady Panther coach Jarvis McArthur said his players controlled the midfield and kept the ball on the Blue Devils’ third for most of the game.
Sidney Wilkinson slipped a shot past the goalkeeper’s reach midway through the first half of play. McArthur said that a few minutes later, Cortney Welch made a goal off a free kick.
“The Blue Devils mounted a few scoring threats late in the second half, but our goalkeeper, Rebecca Nelson, made some great saves,” McArthur said. “She’s a really tough kid and recorded her third shutout of the season.”
The Lady Panther improve to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the region.
The Panther boys’ team had to go up against a strong Blue Devil team (5-1, 3-1) that has been dominant throughout the season thus far. The Blue Devils struck fast, outscored the Panthers, 6-1.
The Liberty teams will continue region action by hosting South Effingham starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
On Tuesday at Olvey Field, Bradwell’s soccer teams dropped a doubleheader against Richmond Hill in a Region 3-AAAAA action.
The Tigers lost, 4-0, and the Lady Tigers fell, 11-1.
BI boys’ coach Tom Oglesby said his team is doing a much better job in playing as a team, adding that they plan on improving their overall defense.
“In the past couple of games, we were playing as individuals, but now we are getting back on track in supporting one another on the field,” the coach said. “Also, we have to get back to solid defending. At the beginning of the season, we were only giving up one to two goals a game. But in the past two games alone, we have given up nine goals. We will be focusing a lot on individual and team defending to prepare for the rest of our region play.”
Oglesby added the team remains on track for a region playoff spot.
“As a matter of fact, we were in this same situation last year, but we still found a way to playoffs,” he said. “I am confident in my boys and their ability to fight back.”
Lady Tiger coach Scott Akin said Jasmine Williams scored the team’s lone goal. Although the Lady Tigers lost, the coach said he saw many bright spots from the young squad.
The Tiger boys are 4-3 overall and 1-3 in the region. According to eurosportscoreboard.com, the Lady Tigers are 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the region.
The Tigers host Glynn Academy starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday.