Cook’s hat trick leads Lady Cats 4-0 win

Published 11:03 am Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Coach Chip Ariail’s Bainbridge High School Lady Cats soccer team picked up their first win of the season Friday when they shut out the Americus-Sumter County High School Panthers in Americus, Ga.

They were led by senior midfielder Savannah Cook, who had a three-goal hat trick. Cook began the scoring in the 18th minute, when she converted a 19-yard free kick.

She increased the lead to 2-0 when she lofted a free kick over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net from 30 yards out in the 40th minute.

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Following a flurry of shots in front of the Lady Panthers goal, senior forward Katriva Thomas followed up a pass from junior forward Erin Kirkus and converted a goal from three yards out in the 57th minute to increase the Lady Cats’ lead to 3-0.

Cook completed her hat trick and the days scoring when she hit a spinning shot to the left post from six yards out in the 78th minute.

She received a corner kick assist from senior midfielder Charlton Reynolds.

The win evened Bainbridge’s record at 1-1. The Lady Cats lost 9-1 at Westover on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Cook scored the Lady Cats’ only goal on a penalty kick late in the first half.

Ariail said breakaway goals by Westover really hurt his team.

“We did not do a good job of organizing in the back and it led to several breakaway goals,” coach Ariail said. “Westover did a better job winning the 50-50 balls which led to the early lead and we did not adjust well.

“Despite the setbacks we did mount several opportunities, but we just could not finish effectively.