Photo: The Gadsden City High goalkeeper Ella Jennings makes a save during the Lady Titans’ 1-0 loss to Decatur in the first round of the Class 6A state soccer playoffs on Thursday, April 25 at GCHS. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
The Gadsden City High girls soccer team saw its season end in disappointing fashion on Thursday, April 25, as the Lady Titans (10-6-2) came up short to Decatur, 1-0, in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs at GCHS.
Decatur scored at approximately the 25th minute of the second half to take the lead for good.
GCHS head coach Sam Corker acknowledged that her team created several good scoring opportunities, particularly off corner kicks, but could not convert.
“[Decatur’s] goal came on a deflection off our goalie’s knee, so it was just kind of a mishap,” she said. “We kind of pushed the girls forward a little bit for the last 10 minutes, but we were having high success, so other than that, we really didn’t change it up (after Decatur’s goal).”
Corker pointed to the team’s accomplishment of winning two straight titles in a very competitive area with Fort Payne and Oxford.
“The majority of seniors (Anna Klaire Ashley, Margaret Stacey, Evelyn Millican, Lily Powers, Marlie McWhorter, Gwen Rikansrud, Mattie Francisco) have been on the team since their freshman year, so it’s been a very special core group. Next season might be a little bit of a building year, but we still have a good group of sophomores and juniors who should be major contributors.”