On Tuesday night, the Statesboro High School girls soccer team used clutch goaltending, solid defense and a fortuitous bounce to a 1-0 victory in a major region match against Coffee County.
The only goal of the game came on an own goal with 23:07 left in the game when a Trojans defender deflected an SHS corner kick into their own net. The corner kick came just two minutes after the Blue Devils took three consecutive corner kicks but were unable to convert them.
“It wasn't necessarily one of our players scoring, but our players put them in positions for it to happen,” SHS head coach Sarah Parker said. “They set up the corners the way we've been practicing. And although they didn't score, they executed really well except for one (own goal).”
With the win, SHS improves to 7-4 overall and 5-1 in regional play, solidifying second place and in position to host a playoff game.
“Last year we were fighting for second place, so we knew we were in a better position compared to last year,” Parker said. “Number one, it’s an improvement and we love to see it. Number two, the home advantage is huge and (the women’s team) has been pushing for it, so in the end We want to get that home advantage. We're aiming for that second place.”
Coffee County is currently 6-7-1 and 3-4 in region play, good for third place as of Tuesday night.
“As coaches, we can't give them that kind of drive. I mean, the fact that they're sitting here thinking, 'We're not going to lose in our own stadium.' We’re going to continue our winning streak at area stadiums,” Parker said. “They're excited for this game, we're excited, and we hope we can keep the momentum going into the next few games.”
Parker was quick to praise goaltender Demir Hartwell's performance. Hartwell made several important saves from close range late in the first half and also saved a penalty kick later in the first half.
“Demia always gives her all, most of the time. She's great when it's coming at you or when it's one-on-one. She's not afraid to go to the ball and help the team He’ll take the ball away for the sake of it,” Parker said.
Both teams had chances to score in the first half. Statesboro and Coffee both earned penalties, but neither team converted.
Ten minutes into the game in Statesboro, Mackenzie Hamer stumbled in the box. Hammer's penalty missed the left post, but the game remained scoreless.
Seven minutes later, the Blue Devils received a cross from the left that crossed the goalmouth and was met with the foot of Angelica Halaby, but her shot also hit the goal. He posted it and it was played wide.
With less than two minutes left in the first half, Hartwell stepped up again in a big way as Coffee had two chances from inside the six-yard box. The first shot deflected off Coffee and Hartwell made another point-blank save just before halftime.
Statesboro returns to action on Friday, traveling to Savannah to take on Jenkins High School.Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
Blue Devil men win in key region
Jude Powell scored one goal and converted a penalty kick for the Blue Devils' second goal as Statesboro picked up a key 3-1 regional victory over Coffee County on Tuesday night.
Keith Howard added two goals for Statesboro, which improved to 5-6-2 overall and 4-2 in region play. Statesboro is competing with Bradwell and Coffee County for second place in the region and the right to host a playoff game. The Greenbrier sits atop the region at 6-0 and undefeated through Tuesday night.
Statesboro came off the bench midway through the first half when Tapper Soucy beat a defender on the left side and delivered a cross. Powell received a cross and headed it past the Trojans' goalie, giving Statesboro a 1-0 lead with 15:57 left in the first half.
“A cross to the head. That's one of my favorite goals of all time,” said SHS head coach Jared Simonin after the game. Powell was named man of the match by coach Simonin.
Coffee County was able to tie the score early in the second half when the Blue Devils were called for a foul inside the penalty area. He converted a penalty kick with 29 minutes and 30 seconds left to tie the game.
Statesboro had several chances to regain the lead in the minutes after the Trojans' goal. With just under 26 minutes left, a half-hearted pass from Coffee County back to the goalie put Southee under pressure. The Trojans were able to wipe it out and keep the score tied.
A minute later, Howard took a free-kick from midfield that bounced into the penalty area and found Benny Stansell, whose header from six yards went over.
The Blue Devils finally took the lead with 17:40 remaining when Powell was fouled in the penalty area shortly after receiving a throw-in. Howard sank the penalty kick to give SHS a 2-1 lead.
Howard added his second goal of the night in the final minutes, finding himself in the right position at the right time following a long throw by Gage Landing. The ball bounced to Howard, who took his first shot from eight yards left to put Statesboro back in the game.
“Keith Howard is very good at soccer,” Simonin said. “He really felt himself tonight. Whenever something like that happens, you have to let them do their thing,” he said.
Coach Simonin also praised his evaluation as a unit on the last line.
“They worked really well together. They stayed as one unit, moved, moved, communicated with each other. The biggest thing was they communicated and played well. , that we played for each other,” he said.
Statesboro resumes play Friday against Jenkins High School in Savannah in another region game.
“We're second in the region going into tonight, but we're tied with Bradwell, so the head-to-head will be against them. So every win helps. And then we win the coffee after beating us first.” That's always great.
Friday kickoff is set for 7 p.m.