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(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Lady Blues celebrate Tuesday, Feb. 10 on the field after defeating the Lady Eagles 5-4. With this win, the Lady Blues improve to 3-0 in district and take first place. -
(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Mai Bara fires a shot Tuesday, Feb. 10 against the Decatur Lady Eagles. The offense stayed focused in the Lady Blues’ 5-4 win. -
(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Taylor Lauster dives for a save Tuesday, Feb. 10 against the Decatur Lady Eagles. Lauster saved three of five shots in the shootout against Decatur. -
(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Rylee Besack chases after a ball Tuesday, Feb. 10 against the Decatur Lady Eagles. The defense was once again top notch in the Lady Blues’ 5-4 win.
The Lady Blues traveled to Decatur for arguably the biggest game of their season up to this point.
Both the Lady Blues and Lady Eagles entered the game with a 2-0 record in district and one team would come out remaining undefeated and firmly cementing themselves in first place. That team ended up being the Lady Blues in a hard fought 5-4 win.
Coming into the game, the team was also shorthanded. Mylee Lattimore was out of action with an ankle sprain and Tara Dawson was away attending senior night for the Lady Blues basketball team.
Despite this, the team still had plenty of fire power in regulation. The defense was stout once again and Lexi Enns alongside Ella Pettus netted two goals for the Lady Blues. Despite this though, Decatur was able to counter with two goals of their own and at the end of regulation the Lady Blues found themselves in a 2-2 tie with Decatur.
The team fought in overtime and eventually the game would wind up going to a shootout. Despite the nerve-wracking moment, head coach Casey Weil said he likes the Lady Blues' chances whenever they get into these types of situations because of all-state goalkeeper Taylor Lauster.
“Our keeper (Lauster) is really good,” Weil said. “I like our chances when we do go into a shootout because of her.”
Lauster answered the bell with a 60% save percentage. The veteran goalie blocked three shots on five attempts. As for the offensive side of the ball, they delivered in the clutch.
Enns came through with her second goal of the game in the shootout alongside Marissa Bueno and in the biggest moment of the game and season so far, Ellie Weatherman delivered a signature moment.
With the game on the line, Weatherman booted a ball past Decatur’s goalie and into the back of the net, ending things for the Lady Blues with a 5-4 victory.
This moves the team into 3-0 in district and firmly in the top spot. After a matchup Friday, Feb. 13 the Lady Blues will move into a bye and pick things up at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 against Bridgeport.
