By Staff
PLAYING FOR KEEPS – Meridian's Leanna Baldner sends the ball past Hattiesburg's Kendra Rehner (7) and Amanda Nettles (4) in the Lady Wildcat's 4 point shut out game against the Lady Tigers. PHOTO BY PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Jan. 12, 2003
Meridian High scored a goal in each of the two, 10-minute overtime periods on Saturday to beat Hattiesburg 3-1 in boys' soccer action.
In the girls' game, the Lady Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and beat Hattiesburg 4-0.
For the Wildcats, Peter Davidson scored one of his two goals in the first overtime period and Andrew Gambrell put the game away with a breakaway goal in the second overtime period.
The visiting Tigers jumped out in front with a goal in the first five minutes of the game. Stephen Worrel sent a free kick towards the far post and Seth Hester headed the ball in to give Hattiesburg a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers also had some good opportunities later in the half, but Meridian keeper Chris Kitchens came through with a diving save and also tipped a shot by Stephen Medley over the goal to keep the score 1-0.
Meridian also had a couple of chances later in the half, but each time the keeper was able to cut in front just in time to keep the Wildcats from scoring.
In the second half, the two teams traded opportunities, but Meridian was finally able to finish a scoring chance about midway through the half.
Gambrell sent a corner kick into the middle and Davidson was a the far post to head the ball in to tie the game 1-1.
The Tigers had a couple free kicks just outside the box later in the half, but Kitchens was able to make a diving save against the shot by Worrel and the teams remained tied through regulation.
In overtime, Davidson broke free on the right side and chipped a shot over the goalie to make the score 2-1 with just a minute remaining in the first overtime period.
In the second overtime period, Gambrell took a great pass from Steven Sollie and scored on a breakaway to make the final score 3-1.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 8-6 on the season. They will travel to play Brandon on Tuesday.
Meridian girls 4
Hattiesburg 0
Meridian came out ready to play and scored four goals in the first half to blow past the Lady Tigers and improve to 11-4
After a couple of very good chances, the Lady Wildcats got a goal. Kirsten Gambrell kicked a corner kick across the field and it rolled into the far side of the net to give Meridian a 1-0 lead.
Kortney Harris scored minutes later to stretch the lead. Catherine Bryan sent the ball across and after the ball bounced off of a defender, Harris beat the keeper to make the score 2-0.
On a corner kick about five minutes later, the ball bounced off Sara Hammes and went to Harris, who once again put the ball away to extend the lead to 3-0.
Later in the half, Gambrell sent a cross on a free kick to Raven Williams who headed it nicely into the goal to make the final score 4-0.