GUTHRIE, Okla. — In a thrilling Girls Varsity Soccer match at Guthrie High School, the Classen SAS Lady Comets faced off against the Guthrie Blue Jays, resulting in a nail-biting 1-1 tie, with Guthrie ultimately securing a 5-4 victory in the penalty shootout.
The Lady Comets displayed a formidable performance in the first half, showcasing strong offensive plays. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, they couldn't find the back of the net. The second half, however, started with a setback as the Lady Comets conceded a quick goal. Unfazed by the adversity, Avery Fisher responded promptly, burying a goal to level the score at 1-1. This ignited a renewed spirit within the team, and the Lady Comets continued to fight tenaciously.
Midway through the second half, Carol Peralta drew a penalty in the box, leading to a crucial penalty kick opportunity. Unfortunately, Amy Effinger, who had been flawless in penalty kicks all season, missed her shot. Despite this setback, Effinger, Fisher and Peralta continued to deliver strong performances, maintaining the team's competitive edge.
As the final whistle blew, the game remained deadlocked at 1-1, prompting a penalty shootout. Effinger redeemed herself by scoring the opening penalty kick, setting the tone for a tense shootout. Goalkeeper Neha Kale made a crucial save, and controversy surrounded Payton Germann's attempt, ultimately resulting in a tied score of 2-2.
With both teams exchanging successful penalties, Guthrie managed to secure a 4-3 lead. The pressure was on Avery Fisher to equalize and extend the shootout, but unfortunately, she missed her opportunity, sealing a Lady Comets loss in the penalty kicks.
Despite the defeat, Coach Germann expressed pride in the team's performance, stating, "Sometimes games just are not meant to be in your favor. I am proud of the passing combinations and fight from the team tonight." He continued, "Sometimes to win, you need luck on your side, and we just didn't have it. We have nothing to be disappointed about; the girls showed true grit by fighting and taking control of the game when things weren't going their way."
Looking ahead, the Lady Comets will face Santa Fe South and Putnam City High School in the Northwest Classen Invitational on Thursday, March 8, with kickoffs scheduled for 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
