Staff writer
LEITCHFIELD - The visiting Warren East Lady Raiders came into Monday's game at Grayson County winless over the past two years, but they were able to break a 2-2 halftime tie with a second-half goal to take a 3-2 win home with them.
The Lady Cougars (0-8) were able to get behind the Lady Raider defense a number of times in the first half, when they scored both their goals. However in the second half, Warren East (1-8) began dropping six people back to defend their goal, and Grayson County never adjusted and had very few opportunities afterward.
The Lady Cougars had three opportunities in the first six minutes of the game. Sophomore Leeanna Lancaster had a shot stopped by Warren East goal-keeper Mailey Young in the game's third minute, then had a shot go over the goal after a nice cross from Louren England in the fifth minute.
England put a shot off the Warren East upright in the eighth minute, but finally got one to go in a minute later. England beat two Lady Raider defenders to the ball then put it past Young to put her team ahead 1-0.
The Lady Cougars threatened again in the 21st minute when Lancaster made a nifty pass to a wide-open England in front of the Warren East goal, but the ball came off England's foot erratically and sailed wide.
Warren East then took the ball up the sideline to get the tying goal. Leah Dieball took the ball into the Grayson County end on the right side of the goal, then put a cross in front which Holly Lawrence knocked into the goal.
Warren East took its first lead of the game in the 33rd minute. Lawrence sent a nice cross to teammate Sarah Hackworth, who took a high bouncer and shot it past Cougar goalie Jamie Hall to make it 2-1.
A couple of minutes later, Grayson County got the equalizer. Senior Haley Hamilton took a ball deep down the left side, worked it back upfield a little, then sent a crossing pass into the goal mouth. Lancaster was able to gather in the pass and put a shot past Young to tie things at 2-2, which is how the half ended.
In the second half, both teams were able to move the ball into the opponents end of the field, but Warren East wound up with the best chances. Time after time, England, Lancaster and Hamilton found themselves outnumbered by Lady Raider defenders and were unable to get any really good shots at the goals.
In the 57th minute Hall came out of goal to try to gather in a bouncing ball which had been put forward by the Lady Raiders. When she was unable to beat Hackworth to the ball, the freshman Lady Raider forward put the ball past Hall and into the goal to provide her team with the winning margin.
Grayson County will be at home again next Tuesday afternoon when they host Todd County Central. That game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
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