Lady Cats defense posts shutout

By Joe Crine (Contact) | Post-Searchlight

Published Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Bainbridge High School Lady Cats opened their 2009 soccer season Thursday with a strong defensive effort, shutting out the Brooks County High School Lady Trojans 3-0 in Quitman.

Freshman forward Charlton Reynolds put the Lady Cats up 1-0 when she followed a deflection of a heading shot from 5 yards out. Junior midfielder Aubrie Provence assisted on the opening goal.

The Lady Cats increased their lead to 2-0 in the 26th minute when junior midfielder Whitney Thomas took a pass from Provence, dribbled through the left side of the Lady Trojans defense and scored on a crossing shot from 8 yards out.

The Lady Cats added their final goal in the second half. It came in the 46th minute when a Trojan defender tried to clear a shot by Lady Cats senior midfielder Olivia Reynolds, which went into the net.

Senior goal keeper Amy Gonzalas had four saves in recording the shutout against Brooks County.

Lady Cats coach Chip Ariail saw some very good things in his team's opening match.

"Considering our youth and being a bit dinged up, I thought we played hard and did some positive things that we will continue to work on in practice," he said.

The Lady Cats will play again Friday in their home-opener against Berrien County at 5 p.m. at Centennial Field. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the team will travel to Cairo for a match beginning at 5:30 p.m.