SBLive weekly girls soccer wrap (Nov. 14): Christina Guzman, Florence get big win over Brandon
Each week, the team at Scorebook Live Mississippi will take an in-depth look at the past week’s high school soccer action, as well as a look ahead to the action to come in the following week.
Here’s a look at the weekly soccer wrap for the week of Nov. 7 to Nov. 13.
Games of the Week
Madison Central 2, West Lauderdale 0
The stage was set for a matchup between two powerhouse girls’ soccer programs.
The Lady Knights have developed into a powerhouse program under the guidance of head coach Alex George, with appearances in the last six 4A State Championship Games in which they lifted the Golden Ball on four different occasions. Head Coach Cecil Hinds and the Madison Central Lady Jags (1-1-0) are also no strangers to success, appearing in the 6A State Championship game twice in the last three years. The Lady Jags also suffered a loss to Brandon High School earlier this season by a score of 4-3.
The Lady Jags started on the front foot early in this game, earning a corner in the opening minute. Olivia Tribolet bent her kick into the corner of the net to give the Lady Jags an early 1-0 lead.
The Lady Jags kept up the pressure throughout the first half, maintaining a hefty advantage in possession and chances created. This included a shot on goal from Olivia Tribolet off a free kick in the 14th minute, a shot just over the bar by Sophia Monico in 19th minute, and a shot by Maggie Johnson in the 35th minute that was impressively saved by the West Lauderdale Lady Knights goalkeeper Anna Kate Humphries.
Humphries made several first-half saves to keep West Lauderdale in the game, down just 1-0 at the half.
The Lady Knights (3-1-0) were more active in second half, drawing fouls and forcing turnovers in dangerous areas through active pressure.
The Lady Knights were unable to generate a clear cut chance, however, and the Lady Jags persisted in their offensive pressure. Lady Jags Anna Wheatley, Lorilee Taylor, and Olivia Tribolet continued to test the West Lauderdale goal and goalkeeper.
This eventually led to a breakthrough, as the Lady Jags scored in the 70th minute, following a nice cross from Sophia Monico that found the feet of Lorilee Taylor. Taylor banged it home to give the Lady Jags a 2-0 lead to secure the win.
The Lady Knights had one last attempt to get back into the game, but forward Kaylee Harrison’s goal was called back due to offsides. The Lady Jags overall looked impressive, as did the Lady Knights goalkeeper Anna Kate Humphries who finished the game with 5 total saves.
Goals: Olivia Tribolet (1’), Lorilee Taylor (70’)
Assists: Sophia Monico (70’)
Up next:
Madison Central will be back in action on Thursday night, as they host Terry High School before heading to Laurel to face Desoto Central High School in the Laurel Soccer Showcase this weekend.
West Lauderdale will welcome Oak Grove High School on Thursday, before playing Lamar and Neshoba Central High Schools next week.
Florence 2, Brandon 0
On Thursday night, the Brandon Lady Bulldogs (2-2-0) made the short trip down to Florence to take on the reigning 4A State Champs, the Florence Lady Eagles (3-0-0).
This game was full of action from the kickoff.
The Lady Eagles were able to capitalize first when Christina Guzman opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Florence an early 1-0 lead.
It was back-and-forth- after that, but the Lady Eagles had the better of the chances. This included a strong cross by the Lady Eagles’ Mary Elise Taylor in the 28th minute and a shot off the crossbar by Christina Guzman in the 31st minute. Florence forward Addie Grace Barnard also found herself in position to score in the 35th minute, but missed just over the bar.
The Lady Bulldogs also had their fair share of chances throughout the first half, led by senior Raylin Dixon. Dixon consistently thwarted Lady Eagle attacks and pushed forward to create offensive chances for the Lady Bulldogs. She attempted a free kick late in the first half that went just over the bar. Florence led it 1-0 at the halftime break.
Florence came out strong early in the second half, scoring their second goal after a beautifully worked sequence that started with Lady Eagle Christina Guzman playing teammate Shaelynn Quick wide. Quick put in a perfect cross to forward Addie Grace Barnard, who finished it home giving the Lady Eagles the 2-0 advantage.
Brandon played much improved from that point, and began to generate chances because of it. Dixon got a shot on goal and Conerly Tigrett had several well-placed corners, but the Lady Bulldogs were unable to break through.
Goals: Christina Guzman (12’), Addie Grace Barnard (41’)
Assists: Shaelynn Quick (41’)
Up next:
Brandon’s next game will be on the road at Terry Monday night before they finish up next week’s action by welcoming Starkville on Thursday.
Florence will prepare to face Northwest Rankin High School next Tuesday night before welcoming Gautier High School on Saturday.
Other top results across the State this week:
Tuesday, Nov. 9:
Brandon 1, Northwest Rankin 3
Ocean Springs 4, Biloxi 0
Sumrall 0, Oak Grove 4
Richland 0, Germantown 5
Thursday, Nov. 11:
Starkville 0, Clinton 0
Oak Grove 3, West Lauderdale 0
West Jones 3, Clarkdale 1
Friday, Nov. 12:
East Central 1, St. Andrews 5
Saturday, Nov. 13
Clinton 2, Tupelo 0
Germantown 1, George County 1
Northwest Rankin 2, Biloxi 0
Clinton 3, Oxford 3
A look ahead
Games of the Week
Tuesday, Nov. 16
Starkville at Madison Central
Saturday, Nov. 20
Oak Grove at Northwest Rankin
MORE:Full girls soccer schedule
Other Games to watch
Monday, Nov. 15
Sumrall at Germantown
Southaven at Center Hill
Tuesday, Nov. 16
Oak Grove at Clinton
Florence at Northwest Rankin
Oxford at Desoto Central
New Hope at Tupelo
St. Andrews at Clarkdale
D’Iberville at Biloxi
Thursday, Nov. 18
Northwest Rankin at Sumrall
St. Martin at Biloxi
Warren Central at Ridgeland
Germantown at Pearl
Starkville at Brandon
Friday, Nov. 19
Oxford at Center Hill
Lewisburg at Southaven
Clinton at Gulfport
Saturday, Nov. 20
West Lauderdale at Clarkdale
