Cherokee freshman Kyleigh Wiggins shoots and scores the first goal of a home match against Mitchell on Friday, March 21. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
The Lady Braves played staunch defense and pitched a 2-0 shutout against the Mitchell Lady Mountaineers at home on Friday, March 21.
“I’m very pleased,” said Lady Braves head coach Sebastian Brun. “I think they learned a lot from yesterday (at Swain on Thursday, March 20). A lot of the younger players are starting to learn what’s going on, and they stepped up so I’m pleased with that and we had our seniors finishing on the goal side.”
Cherokee goalkeeper Anna Cline puts her all into a punt downfield during Friday’s game.
The match started with both sides feeling each other out and playing strong defense. Cherokee sophomore forward Sidnie Yanez had a nice shot at the 27:01 mark that just missed its mark.
Three minutes later, freshman Kyleigh Wiggins drilled one into the net from about 25 yards out to make it 1-0 with 23:20 left in the half.
Cherokee came out for the second half on fire offensively. Taran Swimmer, a senior, had a shot on goal at 33:23 that was saved by the Mitchell goalkeeper. Several minutes later, senior Andrea Cedillo had a shot that was also saved.
Swimmer would find the back of the net, her second goal on the week, to put Cherokee up 2-0 with 22:46 left in the match.
Cherokee’s backline and goalkeeper Anna Cline continued to play strong in the second half to preserve the shutout.
The Lady Braves almost added a third goal with time running out in the game. Cedillo took a short pass deep in the goalie box from Yanez and dribbled it into the goal. But, the score was nullified due to an offsides penalty and the match ended at 2-0 in favor of Cherokee.
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