By Staff
WATCHFUL EYE Clarkdale's Krystin Waller guards Meridian's Jamie Easterwood (11) during Tuesday's game at Clarkdale. The Lady Wildcats won, while the Clarkdale boys edged MHS in a shootout. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Thomas Burton / special to The Star
Nov. 20, 2002
Calvin Eastman's dramatic shootout goal gave the Clarkdale High School boys a 3-2 win over visiting Meridian High School on Tuesday night.
MHS had a chance to tie after Eastman's goal, but the shot was turned away, as the CHS fans erupted with joy.
In earlier action the Meridian girls cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Clarkdale girls. Meridian Led 5-0 at the half.
Kortney Harris, Catherine Bryan, and Leaana Baldner each scored two goals for the Lady Wildcats.
Clarkdale got its lone score of the night from Ashley Spears.
Clarkdale boys 3
Meridian 2
The game was a defensive struggle throughout.
Clarkdale got on the board early with 37:20 on the clock. A clean shot off the foot of David Prewitt put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0.
The Wildcats sent a scare into the Bulldogs with just under 10 minutes left in the first half with Jay Barry and Leslie Rush making headway toward the goal. Willie Brinson ripped a shot, and the kick bounced off the keeper hands. MHS's followup didn't find the net.
With 6:20 to go Andrew Gambrell unleashed a 25 yard kick that went high. Meridian was tested by Clarkdale's defense all-night.
Both teams keep up the pace entering into the second half. Meridian kept Clarkdale off the goal as the Wildcats opened up the field.
Meridian threatened with 36:39 left on a drive set up by Deran Wilson. He and Florien Werner were greeted by Jake Gray and Tyler Swanner.
Werner's kick found Peterson who passed to Gambrell. His kicked was blocked by Tanner Cline.
The rebound hit a sliding Barry that Steven Cook scooped up somehow for the score, tying the game at 1-1 with 34:43 left in the game.
Both teams continued to fight off penalties and mental mistakes, but with 15:00 left in the contest yellow and red cards were flashed as Meridian was called for the foul.
For Clarkdale it was Prewitt with the chance for the lead as his kick rebounded off the hands of the keeper for the second chance as the ball went in for the lead
Meridian made at least five attempts at goal over the next 10 minutes. Cook lead another charge with Davidson by his side as Cook rattled one in to tie the score at 2-2 with 3:11 remaining.
Both teams failed to score as they agreed to face off in a final shootout. Both teams responded on the first four shots at goal.
Meridian girls 7
Clarkdale 1
The lady Wildcats cut the field in half against the Lady Bulldogs. Early on the Wildcats took seven attempts during the first 20 minutes of play.
Kortney Harris passed by defender Heather Limerick to put the ladies up 1-0 with 32:00 on the clock.
Just three minutes later Jessica Kopf and Raven Williams were opening up the lanes. Catherine Bryan converted on the pass to put the lead at 2-0.
The ball was all over the place for the Wildcats, and again Kopf took command with a score with 26:00 left to put the lead at 3-0.
Meridian scored again with one off the foot of Harris again from the corner kick by Holly Thrash to set the score at 4-0 with 18:35 remaining. Meridian scored once more with another goal by Kopf to make it 5-0. Spears then scored for Clarkdale.
Meridian got it final points of the night back to back from Emily Bryan with and assist from Kopf with 32:00 on the clock and the next shot by Catherine Bryan coming 10 seconds later for the win 7-1.
Both Meridian teams will travel Thursday to Northwest Rankin for a tournament.
Clarkdale will make its way to Laurel Friday to participate in Tournament play.