Senior forward Taran Swimmer blasts a penalty kick for a goal with just four minutes left in Thursday’s home match against Haywood Christian. Swimmer scored two goals in the game to lead Cherokee to a 2-0 win. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Senior forward Taran Swimmer scored on two penalty kicks to lead the Lady Braves to a 2-0 win over Haywood Christian at home on Thursday, April 10. She scored the first one with 9:52 left in the first half and the second with 4:12 left in the match.
Lady Braves head coach Sebastian Brun was happy with the game overall, but still wants to see more aggressive play. “It looked rough at first as they were just lazy to the ball and not passing the ball well, but I think by the end of the first half and the entire second half, we started to do a lot more passing. I still think we need a little more fitness to keep up, but I’m happy with the win.”
Cherokee’s Andrea Cedillo (#3) is fouled hard by Haywood Christian’s Caroline (#11, last names were not available on their roster) late in the match. The foul, inside the box, resulted in a penalty kick which was made by Taran Swimmer.
He praised Swimmer’s play, “She did a great job putting away those two penalty kicks. I think she is 4 for 4 on the season. That’s an awesome thing when there is pressure on the line so I’m pleased with that also.”
Aside from the penalty kick, Cherokee had four shots on goal in the first half while holding Haywood Christian to only one. Senior forward Avery Mintz had a shot at 17:35 that went just wide right. She followed that one with a hard shot at 15:40 that just sailed high. Five minutes later, Mintz sent a nice crossing pass to sophomore midfielder Brittney Driver whose shot went wide left.
Senior goalkeeper Anna Cline had another fine game in the Cherokee goal as she and the Cherokee backline pitched a shutout. Haywood Christian’s only shot on goal in the first half came at the 7:08 mark as Morgan (last names were not given on their roster) shot one that was easily scooped up by Cline.
Swimmer had a shot on goal from a direct kick with just over a minute left before halftime that missed the goal over the top by inches. Cherokee led at the half 1-0.
In the second half, Haywood Christian pushed the ball up the field early and actually had a goal nullified due to an offsides penalty at the 32:15 mark. It was back and forth for most of the second half with not a lot of action inside the goalie box. Mintz did have a shot at 26:32 that went wide right and sophomore forward Sidnie Yanez blasted a shot on goal at the 18:40 mark that went a little high.
Following Swimmer’s penalty kick, the Lady Braves held tight and came away with their 2-0 shutout.
[nggalbum id=411 template=extend]
