The Bainbridge High School Lady Cats soccer team shut out the Worth County High School Lady Rams Friday bight at Centennial Field to clinch the fourth spot State Class AAAA playoffs that get underway Tuesday, April 28.

The Lady Cats scored both of their goals in the first half. They took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when senior midfielder Jennifer Becerra was fouled just outside the top of the Lady Rams penalty area, and quickly turned it into a scoring opportunity. She set the ball on the left side around 20 yards away and calmly curled a lofted shot just inside the right post.

The Lady Cats increased the advantage to 2-0 in t he 36th minute of the first half when sophomore forward Ileen Marquez scored a goal.  It was set up by sophomore forward Elizabeth Brinson, who had a one-on-one situation with the Lady Rams goalkeeper just outside the six-yard box on the left side. Seeing a chance to score, she quickly shot the ball past the keeper and towards the center of the goal.

A Lady Rams defender got a touch on the ball but inadvertently put it in a spot where Marquez was able to take advantage and strike the ball into the goal.
Coach Chip Ariail said both teams battled and played strong defense in the second half with each stopping several scoring opportunities. Lady Cats freshman goal keeper collected seven saves in the match and all came in the second half.

“The win was significant,” Ariail said, “because it was the first time this season that any team had posted a shutout against the Worth County girls. Prior to their match with us, the lady Rams were averaging five goals a game.”