By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
September 28, 2004
The Lamar School girls soccer team came within a three-goal, three-minute spurt from capturing first place in the MPSA South Division against the Jackson Prep Lady Patriots.
Jackson Prep (10-5-2) scored in the 33rd, 34th and 36th minutes to take a 3-1 win over Lamar (7-3) in a physical match at the Northeast Soccer Complex on Monday.
McGraw questioned some of the calls made in the game, but she didn't point to the officials as the reason for the game's outcome.
Lamar will host an opening round match in the playoffs at 3 p.m. Thursday at Northeast. The Lady Raiders, who entered Tuesday's game on a seven-game winning streak, will play either Starkville Academy, Washington School or Jackson Academy in the first round.
After ending the first half with no score, Lamar notched the game' s first goal five minutes into the second half.
Lady Raiders defender Jessi Fort chipped a crossing pass off a free kick to the left post of Prep's goal.
The ball bounced away from the Lady Patriots goal keeper's hands and onto the foot of striker Emily Thompson, who buried the ball into the open net for a 1-0 lead.
Lamar was able to keep Prep at bay for most of the second half, as Lady Raiders goal keeper Sara Beth Fouts, who made 16 saves in the game, made a few dandy stops in net. Lamar's defense was also able to block numerous shots throughout the half.
But Prep finally broke through Lamar's defense in the 33rd minute.
Lady Patriots forward Sara Frances Wilson dribbled into the goal box from the right wing and punched a goal inside the right post to tie the game at one.
Prep took a 2-1 lead a minute later, as Ana Lampton fired a shot into the upper-left corner of the net from the top of the box.
Prep's Kate Carter finished the scoring knocking in a rebound of the crossbar in the 36th minute.