Looks like I'm the first to post.
Spartanburg 1 1 2
T.L. Hanna 2 1 3
Anderson, SC - The Lady Jackets were fortunate to catch Spartanburg tonight on a night in which they were not at full strength. With #7 up top to run the show, things quite possibly would have been different...but thankfully for the home team they were not.
The Vikings (hide your children) opened up the first half with a low line drive that buzzed past the hands of All-Region GK Kelli Whitfield. Moments later the Lady Jackets responded when Caitlin Robinson received the ball on a diagonal down the left side and slid the ball to the right of the net. Physical, but clean play resumed and the ball stayed in the midfield for most of the afternoon/night. Midway through the 1st half, a cross was sent (Molly Harpe?) into the 18 to Junior Taylor Craft who lifted the ball up and over the GK for a goal. Whitfield held strong in the back and the Jackets got a scare when a goal was scored, but then negated by the linesman (Thank you Jack for 3 officials!). More furious play continued and the half ended with Spartanburg leading the shots 10-9.
The 2nd half resumed with the Vikings controlling much of the midfield and T.L. Hanna holding on with desperate clears. Robinson again found the net, though, as she and the GK collided while her shot went through. Spartanburg resumed their assault in the 2nd half and found the net via an impressive blast from the right corner of the box. Hatcher, Holahan, Anderson, and Martin scrapped in the middle for the remainder of the half, while Casey Craft, Davis, Witcher, and Wentsky weathered the storm in front of 2nd half Keeper Maxwell (forgive the shameless plugs). Spartanburg just missed sending the game into OT as they kept hitting shot after shot.
Coach McGinty has had some injuries and catastrophes this year that you would not wish on your worst enemy, but has managed to field an impressive squad despite circumstances. I'm not sure Hanna's staff would be able to hold up as well in the same situation. Good group of girls, good coach over there in Spartanburg.
P.S. Next up for T.L. Hanna: #15 Northwestern. Despite the higher ranking, T.L. Hanna remains the underdog. Don't believe me? Its hard to beat a team three times in a row...especially when that team has been hanging with the biggest and baddest of 4A. I know Cantona will disagree, but playing Mauldin, Dorman, and Fort Mill x 2 is more impressive than Laurens, Pendleton, and Dorman.
