Southside High’s Destini Johnson brings the ball across midfield during the Lady Panthers’ 8-0 victory over Pell City in the Class 6A girls state soccer semifinals on May 12 in Huntsville.
By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Kelsey Patterson scored four goals to help the Southside Lady Panthers dismantle the Pell City Lady Panthers, 8-0, in the Class 6A girls state soccer semifinals on May 12 in Huntsville.
“We are excited to be here,” said Southside head coach Tiffany Cargill. “Honestly, these girls have been together so long, and that’s why they are playing so hard. We play solid defense.”
Lauren Brewer added two goals for Southside (16-5-1), which advanced to the state championship game against Chelsea on May 13. The Lady Panthers ended up losing by a score of 2-0.
Southside played a strong defensive game in the semifinals shutout. The difference was the Lady Panthers’ team speed, as several Southside goals were unassisted breakaways.
Anna Motley put Southside ahead 1-0 with only 1:15 elapsed in the first half. Patterson added to the lead with 23:11 to go in the opening half, and less than eight minutes later Destini Johnson increased the Southside lead to 3-0.
Lauren Brewer rounded out the first half scoring with a breakaway goal with 2:50 to go for a 4-0 lead.
The second half of the match belonged to Patterson. She scored her second and third goal of the contest in the first 10 minutes to give Southside a commanding 6-0 lead and added goal number four with 33 seconds remaining. Brewer found the net with 14:23 left.
Cargill recognized the play of Hallie Kate Smith and Destini Johnson.
“Any of these girls are capable of having multiple-goal games.”
Southside out-shot Pell City by a 20-3 margin. Alley Rubrigi had one save in goal for Southside.