T.L. Hanna 4
Wren 0
Hurricane Alley, SC-Give the Wren Hurricanes their props. I don't know how they installed a gametime wind generator for the match, but the sucker was impressive. Fans were actually moved from their fold-out chairs because of the 364 mph gails.
Hanna won the toss and took the wind at their backs, a move that proved crucial to start the match on the right foot. Two minutes in, freshman Molly Harpe blast a volley that was set up by Senior Lacie Hatcher into the left side of the net from just outside the 18. Gusting wins allowed Hanna to keep pressure in their favor as sophomore Caitlin Robinson took a pass from Junior Morgan Anderson to put them up 2-0 at the half.
With the teams switching sides, Michael Burriss' Hurricanes stepped up the pressure on offense with Hannah Gimerick (sp?) and tightened up the defense led by Dezeray (again, sp?) Cooley. The Lady Jackets weathered the storm at times (pun intended) and were able to convert a rebound off a free kick given after a Cooley to Robinson foul. Robinson broke away down the left flank and was brought down just hard enough to draw a foul. Caitlin sent in a low line drive that the keeper deflected, but freshman Carly Tanner was in position to knock in the rebound. The play proved double destructive for Wren as they lost their keeper after knocking her head into the post upon making the save. To many fans and coaches delight, the injured player walked off under her own will.
More Hurricane attack (you would think those girls would give up, but after coming back from 4 down against Daniel to win 6-4, no they would not) was in store for the last 20 minutes of the game. Hanna caught another break as the ball found Robinson again and saw her matched up alone against the sweeper. She beat her mark and eventually the back-up keeper to put the Lady Jackets up for good 4-0.
The clean sheet was kept by Senior Kelli Whitfield in the first half and by Sophomore Kendall Maxwell in the second. These ladies were aided by the defensive effort of their back five: Senior Megan Witcher, Juniors Amy Davis, Morgan Anderson, Taylor Craft, and Sophomore Emily Wentsky.
With only Greenwood left as a potential defeat in the region, the Lady Jackets wrap up their first region title in the program's history as all other teams have two or more losses.
Coming from a completely unbiased fan of the game: GO LADY JACKETS!!!
