The Madison County girls’ soccer team scored its first goals of the season and broke a three-game losing skid last Wednesday (March 3) by tying Franklin County, but dropped its next two games.
The Lady Raiders (0-4-1) return to action today (Thursday) at home against Elbert County, followed by home games against Hart County (Friday) and region foe Loganville (Tuesday).
Madison County tied Franklin County 2-2 behind goals from Jessie Graham and Leigh Beaver.
“We were able to establish an attack against Franklin,” coach Molly McCarty said.
Abby Atkinson crossed the ball in the first half to Graham who supplied Madison County’s first goal of the season. The Lady Raiders then trailed 2-1 in the second half before Renee Ellisor crossed the ball to the back post. Leigh Beaver followed the ball and scored to tie the game with 3:30 remaining.
McCarty said her team matched up well with Franklin County but had several players on the mend following a Feb. 26 game with Heritage.
“I had to move people to various other positions to focus on Franklin’s key players,” McCarty said.
The coach said her defense did an “outstanding job” pressuring and covering the ball, and Rebecca Smith and Carly Mayne received Raider of the Game for their play. Brittany Wood, Chastin Dobbs and Atkinson “also did an outstanding job in the defense,” McCarty said.
McCarty added that back-up goalkeeper Samantha Jones had “some really amazing saves.” She finished with nine.
Madison County fell 10-0 two nights later to Salem and then lost 5-0 to Habersham Central Tuesday.
JV NOTES: Madison County’s junior varsity girls recently earned their first victory, beating Rockdale County 2-0. Emmie Fouche and Suzie Perez supplied the goals, while keeper Christina Hart recorded a shutout.
