By Staff
OFF THE TOP Laurel's Nilda Marie Witty (4) goes up against Northeast Lauderdale's Danielle Smith (18). Northeast Lauderdale took a 3-2 win in overtime. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
Jan. 23, 2002
The Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojans got two goals by Danielle Smith in the final two minutes of the second half of overtime to defeat Laurel 3-2 in girls soccer action on Tuesday night.
The Laurel boys defeated Northeast 1-0 in a shootout to win the district and keep the Trojans out of the playoffs.
In the girls' match, Smith ended the game with a hat trick to defeat the visitors and give the Lady Trojans first place in the district.
Northeast got the first goal of the game with about 22:30 left in the game when Smith got off a shot that was deflected in the box by a defender. The deflection went back to Smith who shot the ball into the left side of the goal to make the score 1-0.
The Lady Tornadoes came right back just a minute later when Mallory Ford sent a long pass forward to Brittney Moss, who then beat the keeper with the shot into the left side of the goal to tie the game at one.
Northeast had many great opportunities in the first half to get the lead back but had trouble finishing the chances. Smith had a good shot on goal with a free kick but the keeper, Kashunda Jones, deflected the shot just wide.
Minutes later, Ivy Rawson fed Katie Bergin for a good shot. Jones slipped, making the save but the Laurel defense was able to clear the ball just in time.
Later in the half, Smith fed Rawson with a pass, but Rawson's blast went just high and the game remained 1-1.
Laurel came back with scoring chances when Chelsea Risher got behind the defense. Northeast keeper Raleigh Odom charged out and made a nice stop to keep the game tied.
In the last seconds of the half Anna Cockrell got off a nice shot for the Tornadoes but the shot went just wide and the half ended 1-1.
Laurel came up with the best chances in the second half when a free kick was deflected in the box and Moss got off a close shot. Odom was in perfect position for the Lady Trojans and made the save.
The visitors also got a good chance when Risher got free in the box and settled the ball. Her shot was just wide and regulation play ended with the teams tied 1-1.
In the first overtime half, Laurel got the lead when Ashley Hughes broke free behind the defense and beat the goalie into the left side of the net.
Northeast tied the game up with 2:10 left to play in the second overtime period when Smith stole the ball from a Laurel defender. She beat the keeper high to tie the game 2-2.
With less than two minutes to play, Bergin beat her defender on the right side of the field and sent a beautiful cross that was kicked in by Smith to give Northeast the 3-2 advantage. The Lady Trojans held on for the final minutes and took the win to improve to 10-1 overall and 7-0 in district play.
Laurel ends the regular season 18-4 and second in the district. It will begin the playoffs on Tuesday night. Northeast will travel to Northeast Jones on Thursday and then begin the playoffs on Tuesday.
Laurel boys 1
Northeast 0
Brandon Easterwood made the final kick for Laurel in a shootout to help the Tornadoes defeat the Trojans on a very sloppy field 1-0.
Neither team could score a goal but both teams had chances. The best chances for Laurel came in the second half when Easterwood got off a long shot that hit the crossbar and bounced away. Easterwood also got some space later in the second half, but his shot was deflected by the goalie just wide of the goal.
Northeast's best chance came when Chris Stevens passed to Ryan Sweet. The charging keeper, Brett Jones made the save for the Tornadoes.
Sweet, Paul Tate, and Chad Brunson made kicks in the shootout for Northeast. Adam Axton, Josh Satcher, and Ben Beasley finished their shots for Laurel, but it was Easterwood who made the final kick to help the Tornadoes win the shootout 4-3 and give Laurel the 1-0 victory.
Northeast falls to 11-8 on the year. It will finish its season at Northeast Jones on Thursday. With the win Laurel wins the district. It will host South Jones on Thursday and then host a playoff game on Tuesday.