Photo: Southside High’s Kinsey Carter (8) runs into Homewood’s Caroline Crimi (14) and Sunny Ferren (5) as Katlyn Forternberry (30) looks on during the Lady Panthers’ 3-0 loss in the Class 6A state soccer playoffs on Friday, May 7 in Huntsville. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
The Southside High girls soccer team’s standout season came to a end in Huntsville on Friday, May 7.
Untimely defensive lapses and a struggling offense combined for the Lady Panthers’ 3-0 loss to defending state championship Homewood in the Class 6A state semifinals at John Hunt Park.
Maddie Massie scored twice for the Lady Patriots – one early in the first half and another early in the second half. Mary Ellen Petrella scored with 11 seconds to go before halftime.
Southside managed just two shots on goal.
“We knew coming in that [Homewood] would be a formidable opponent,” said Southside head coach Tiffany Cargill. “They came in did what they knew how to do. We made some poor defensive errors and [Homewood] made some quality shots. We tried to throw what we could at their defense, and we just couldn’t connect.”
Southside sophomore goalkeeper Anna Kate Welch made several saves during the game, including a few in the first half that kept the Lady Panthers within striking distance.
“Anna Kate’s one of our really solid players, and she played very well today,” said Cargill. “She stepped up and made saves on a number of quality shots.”
Cargill said she will miss the contributions of seniors Grasyn Carter, Emma Gallagher and Katlyn Fortenberry.
“These three young ladies have been playing for us since middle school. They laid everything out there today and fought as hard as they could.”