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Glenn Price • The Madill Reocrd Cielo Gomez (3) shows phenomenal control of the ball during the Wildcat and Lions game on March 10. -
Glenn Price • The Madill Record Giselle Bautista (25) runs offense against the Durant Lions on March 10. Even though they fought hard, the loss brought the Lady “cats record 1-2.
Once again the Lady ‘cats dropped another close game; this one to rival Durant Tuesday night at Paul Laird Field – 2-1 on penalty kicks. The score was tied 0-0 at halftime but Madill controlled most of the game. The loss puts Madill’s season record to 1-2 going into spring break.
It was a very strongly contested game while every player with the ball defended well from both teams. Passes were rushed and there were a lot of turnovers because of the defense as both teams played hard. The Madill goalkeeper, Jimena Guevara, made a great play when she stuffed a breakaway shot from Durant’s leading scorer, Aliyah Tomlinson in the first half. Each team had in excess of ten fouls in the game and they were tied in corner kicks with three each.
With 3:26 left in the second half, Madill was awarded a direct kick and Samantha Dominguez nailed a 35-yard shot over the reach of the Durant goalkeeper to put Madill ahead 1-0. It looked good for the visiting Madill squad. However, once again, the ugly Mr. Fate took over. With just over a minute to play, Madill misplayed a pass back to the goalkeeper and before you knew it, the Durant forward got to the ball and put it in the empty net, tying the score at one goal apiece with just a minute left.
Madill was unable to mount any offense in that minute and the game went to penalty kicks. Each team sends out their first five players to take the kicks and the best of five wins or if it is tied after the five kicks, five more take kicks. After that, it is a sudden death with each team getting the same number of kicks.
Madill kicked first and the first player’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Tomlinson got revenge as she made her penalty kick. Madill’s second player kicked the ball over the goal. Durant’s second kicker made their kick. Madill’s third player, Cileo Gomez, nailed her kick as did the Durant player and it was 3-1 for the penalty kicks. Madill’s fourth player missed her kick and the game was over with Durant winning the penalty kick finish.
Madill Head Coach Jose Cortes said even though they played well, a simple mistake was their undoing.
“We dominated the game,” said Cortes. “It was a very physical game and we knew it would be. Our being physical neutralized them and we outplayed them. But we made a mistake that cost us the game.”
Cortes said he considers this a win.
“ The girls played one of their best games ever. As far as I’m concerned, it was a win. I told them to keep your head up and we will play Harrah in our first district game at home and to focus on that.”
The Harrah game is scheduled for March 24 at 5:30.