Tigerettes Pick Up Two Wins

The Macon County Tigerette High School Soccer Team is making strides to improve itself from last year’s season.

The Tigerettes garnered two wins against Watertown and Cannon County with a loss to Livingston Academy.

The Tigerettes marched into Watertown seeking their first District 8 AA win. The Watertown Lady Tigers were easily overmatched by the Macon County squad. The Tigerettes opened the game with a goal within the first 2 minutes. The score was 7-0 at halftime, and the team played a possession game for much of the second half. Many of the Junior Varsity players were able to enter the game and keep the game going in favor of the Tigerettes.  Scoring for the Tigerettes was Lora Darnell, Bailey Porter, Alexus Sarmiento, Jacy Russell, Sara Satterfield, Sarah Morgan, Kaitlyn Tiller, Shayla Ochoa, Emile Harris, Angel Austin, Karry Day, and Casey Martin. The final play of the game was a penalty kick by Watertown. Freshman goalkeeper Lindsay Howell made a terrific save to keep the shut out.

Thursday’s match up with district foe Livingston Academy didn’t end the way the team and many of the fans wanted it to. The Tigerettes were riding some feel good feelings after posting a win on Tuesday against Watertown. However, the Wildcats at Livingston Academy seemed to want the game more than the Tigerettes. The Macon County squad found itself in a 0-1 hole at half time. It could have a been a 0-2 hole, but the champion-like display of fortitude from Freshman Goal Keeper Katrina Carey kept the Wildcats at bay and the Tigerettes very much in the game. The Tigerettes rallied at half time and began possessing and controlling the ball more than their opponent early in the second half, but some defensive let downs (missed coverage and missed kicks) allowed Livingston Academy to get another goal which let the steam out of the Tigerettes. Macon County was not able to capitalize on the Wildcat’s mistakes, and dropped into a 0-3 hole. Late in the game Lora Darnell put Macon County on the board by a hustle play that she finished nicely. However, it was too little too late for the Tigerettes who dropped the game with a final score of 1-3.

Saturday’s trip to Cannon County was a make-up game following the previous game with the Lions being called for lightning 3 minutes into play. The match on Saturday, September 20th was a warm one. The first half ended in a draw 0-0 even though Macon County had several opportunities to score. At halftime, Macon County head coach, Jeb Coe, instructed the team to make quicker decisions. “We possessed the ball for most of the game, but it seemed that we would hold the ball for too long trying to decide what to do next  and Cannon County players would have time to make defensive plays on the ball,” said Coach Coe. Also, he pulled sophomore, Bailey Porter, who was playing striker aside and told her, “to make a play for any ball that was within 5 yards of her.” She responded in the second half by winning more balls played near her. She also scored the first goal of the game by taking a shot outside the goal box, and putting it on the back post of the goal frame.  Teammate Sara Satterfield ran to the back post for the rebound, but the ball sailed right over the keeper’s outstretched hands and into the net. “It was a beautiful shot! I am also proud of the effort from other offensive players, Alexus Sarmiento, Jacy Russell, and Sara Satterfield, to continue to make runs at the goal on kicks we placed on the frame of the goal,” said Coach Coe. The next two goals were by Lora Darnell. Her lightning quick moves dumbfounded the defense and left her one on one with the goal keeper. She had a similar opportunity to score in the first half, but she kicked the ball over the goal. Not so in the second half. She kept the ball low and to the corners just as she had been instructed at halftime. The game was in the Tigerettes’ hands at that point. Coach Coe was able to make some substitutions to give other players valuable game experience. The Lions were able to capitalize on one defensive error and score a goal late in the game, but it was too little too late for the other team this time as the Tigerettes walked away from Woodbury, TN with a 3-1 victory against the Lions of Cannon County.

The Tigerettes will travel to Goodpasture on Sep 23rd and host DeKalb County on Sep 25th.