The curtain fell on the 2011 season for the Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldoggs Tuesday, but not before much was accomplished on the soccer field.
WBHS advanced to the state tournament once again this spring. The Lady Doggs fell 2-1 to Lakeside in a match that could have easily gone either way.
“It was tough on us because they were very physical,” WBHS coach Ben Arms said after the match. “That’s not our style of play. We concentrate on playing soccer.”
The Lady Doggs were without standout player Clara Tapplin, who is recovering from ligament damage in her left knee.
Ashley Phan put the Lady Doggs in front 1-0 at the 32:29 mark of the first half on a goal which entered the left side of the net.
Lakeside answered with 19:27 in the first half and the two teams went into the break deadlocked.
WBHS goal keeper Jessica Maynard had seven unofficial saves in the first half. Teammate Lisa Doolittle also recorded a save at the 5:30 mark of the first half after sprinting in front of her goal. That play helped keep the score even.
Taylor West made the first attempt on goal just 1:15 into the match. Chasity Jackson also had an attempt at the 36:35 mark.
Lakeside scored what turned out to be the winning goal with 38:44 left in the game. Despite attempting to even the score, WBHS could not find the net again. Georgia Stepp just missed on an opportunity with just under five minutes remaining.
“It was a great season,” Arms said. “We have nothing to hang our heads about. We had some great wins this season.”
At halftime, Arms discussed with his team putting pressure on the goal and his players accomplished that despite not being able to score in the second 40 minutes. The coach said the start time was moved to 7 p.m. to allow the temperature to be a little cooler and allow his starters the opportunity to play longer stretches of time.
“Coming back off of spring break was also likely an issue,” Arms said. “We were out of our routine and it was tough to get back in it.”
