Webster County soccer seasons ends in Regional tourney opener
By CHARLIE HUST
For the second straight season, the WCHS Lady Trojan soccer team advanced to the Second Region Tournament. And for the second year in a row, the Webster girls were eliminated by Trigg County.
Last year the Lady Wildcats rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Webster 3-2. Monday night, on the campus of Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, Trigg County never trailed in the contest and ended Webster’s season with a 5-3 victory. The Lady Trojans had battled to a 3-3 tie earlier in the season in Cadiz.
Behind three goals from senior forward McKenzie Woodall, the Lady Wildcats built a 3-0 lead just 23 minutes into the match. Woodall’s first score came less than two minutes into the match on a putback right in front of the goal.
TC’s Meaghan Mize made it 2-0 nine minutes later, then Woodall scored on a quick breakaway at the 23-minute mark to stretch Trigg’s lead to 3-0.
Webster got a much-needed goal with less than a minute to play before the half on a goal from Katie Floyd, cutting the lead to 3-1.
But Trigg, the Fifth District champs, opened the second half with 11 shots on goal compared to Webster’s one and kept the pressure on the Lady Trojan defense.
Webster’s high-scoring senior Lexie Cole gave her squad hope with a break-away goal at the 62-minute mark to slice the lead to just one, 3-2.
But another goal from Woodall four minutes later squashed the WCHS momentum.
“We had confidence we could compete against them (Trigg) but we got off to a very slow start and weren’t swarming the ball and pressuring them,” noted second-year head coach Troy Grant. “The heart was there but I’m not sure we were totally ready for the intensity of regional tournament game.”
Despite the loss, Grant had high praise for his squad, especially his seniors.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these seniors, they’ve worked very hard and have a lot of heart. They’re done an incredible job of helping this program, teaching and leading the underclassmen. I feel like they’ve left an incredible legacy for others to follow and I’m honored to have been their coach,” Grant concluded.
Webster County 8
Union County 2
Webster County Lady Trojan soccer team earned a bit of revenge Wednesday night in the opening match of the 6th District Tournament held at Lady Trojan Field in Dixon.
After losing to Union County 4-1 two weeks ago, WCHS powered it way to a convincing 8-2 victory on a cold and rainy night to advance to the district finals against Henderson County on Thursday.
The contest had been pushed back two nights because of the threat of severe weather, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the Lady Trojans.
“Our girls were pumped up and chomping at the bit to get another shot at Union,” noted WCHS head coach Troy Grant. “Anytime we play Union County, we know it’s going to be tough, and this late in the season it simply comes down to who has the most heart.”
WCHS senior Lexie Cole got the scoring parade rolling with a pair of first half goals to spark the offense. Kaylee Pratt and Michela Knight had assists on the scoring plays.
Fellow senior Flor Salazar made it 3-1 with her first goal of the night, followed by goals from Brooke Clark and Lindsey Grant. Clark, who led the Lady Trojans with three goals, added her second score on a line drive from 20 yards out off the assist from Cole.
Salazar made it 7-2 with her second goal, thanks to a nifty assist from Pratt. Clark, just a sophomore, finished off the scoring late in the match with her third goal.
“This is a special group of young ladies, closer than sisters,” Grant said of his squad. “And the upper classmen have done an outstanding job with instructing and encouraging the younger players ... leaving their legacy and building the future.”
Webster County 0
Henderson County 9
After the emotional win over Union County on Wednesday, there was definitely a “let down” of intensity against the Lady Colonels in the 6th District Championship game on Thursday.
Behind three goals from junior Emma Newland, the Lady Colonels powered its way to a 3-0 lead at halftime and never looked back in the second half for the dominating win.
Webster County (9-9-1) placed three players on the All-District team, based on regular-season play. They were Lexie Cole, Taylor Main and Brianna Wolf.