By Rob Patrick
RUSSELLVILLE — A year ago, the Bryant Lady Hornets soccer team was lights out when it came to the[more] penalty kicks used in a tiebreaking shootout after overtime.
But this year, it’s been a struggle.
In fact, the Lady Hornets had lost four shootouts coming into Thursday’s 7A/6A-Central Conference contest at Russellville.
And, sure enough, the two teams battled to a scoreless deadlock at the end of regulation play and the shootout commenced. This time, however, the Lady Hornets got the best of it as McKenzie Adams, Erica Selig, Lexie Balisterri and Katie Moore found the back of the net while the Lady Cyclones missed on two of their four tries.
Bryant improves to 13-7 overall, 6-3 in conference play going into tonight’s payback game against the Mount St. Mary Belles, who upset the Lady Hornets 2-0 on March 29.
Regulation play on Thursday was distressing for the Bryant girls who launched 28 shots and held Russellville to just five.
“We missed point-blank shots,” said Lady Hornets coach Julie Long. “It’s frustrating after how much time we have spent working on it.
“My defense played great,” she added. “London (Abernathy), Kenzie (Adams) and (Lindsey) Brazil. The girls played hard and fought. Lauren Reed was in goal tonight and had two saves.
“After the game, the girls acted down,” related the coach, “so Coach (Jason) Hay talked to my five shooters and the keeper. His pep talk got them through this win of PK’s. The girls were relaxed and ready.”
Adams knocked in the first kick and Russellville answered. Selig’s kick was second and again the Lady Cyclones matched it. But after Balisterri drilled her shot, Russellville missed and when Moore got hers to go, it proved to be the winner when the Lady Cyclones misfired once more.
“After the game, I told Coach Hay, I would leave my PK stuff up to him from here on out,” Long mentioned. “The girls and I are fortunate to have someone that we trust to pull us through our weaknesses.”
