Lady Blues head to playoffs with PK victory over Burkburnett News Staff Tue, 03/12/2024 - 1:46 pm
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Lady Blues celebrate with each other on the field after defeating Burkburnett 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout Friday, March 8. It was Senior Night for the Lady Blues and gave them momentum as they prepare for the playoffs with a second-place finish in district.
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham senior Sophie Schlieper moves the ball up the field and avoids defenders during the team’s Senior Night victory over Burkburnett. The Lady Blues were tied 0-0 at the end of regulation and won 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout.
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham senior Madi Wilde fires a shot on goal from close range during the team’s Senior Night game Friday, March 8 against Burkburnett. The Lady Blues won 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout.
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham’s Kinsley Amburn makes her run up to the ball for her penalty kick during a shootout with Burkburnett in the final regular season game Friday, March 8. Amburn scored the game-winning shot in PKs to give her team the 3-2 win on Senior Night.
TC Gordon sports@grahamleader.com
While the outcome of Friday night’s game wouldn’t have an effect on the team’s standings, the Lady Blues’ regular season finale brought the suspense in which Graham came out on top over Burkburnett.
Neither team managed a goal in regulation and finished tied 0-0, which sent the game to a penalty kick shootout. In the PK duel, the Lady Blues came out on top 3-2 to secure a win on their Senior Night.
For Graham, it was a win that provides a spark as they make preparations for the playoffs in a few weeks. The Lady Blues finished second in district and will hope for a long postseason run when the time comes.
But on an increasingly cold and windy evening, the Lady Blues battled the Lady Bulldogs all night. Both teams struggled with the strong winds, which caused balls to die in the air and pushed multiple shots off target.
Despite the conditions, however, the Lady Blues looked in control the entire game. Graham spent the first half going against the wind but still found ways to spend most of the time on Burkburnett’s side of the field.
The Lady Bulldogs only had one real shot on goal which was saved by goalkeeper Taylor Lauster.
“I was most pleased with the girls doing what we asked,” head coach Casey Weil said. “We went out with a game plan, we knew if we could get through the first half going against the wind it would be tough… We had most of the possession on this end of the field, even going against the wind, so I knew the second half would be to our advantage.”
Playing with the wind in the second half led to many more shots on goal for the Lady Blues. But the struggles with accuracy came along with the wind advantage as most of the team’s shots missed the goal by just a few feet.
Senior Sophie Schlieper took nearly all the team’s shots in the second half with a couple missing by mere inches.
Her last shot of regulation came with 3:50 to play but it was blocked by Burkburnett’s keeper to keep things an even 0-0 tie.
“I don’t know how many times we shot but we just couldn’t hit the goal,” Weil said. “And that happens in the game and happens in any sport… I was proud of what we did.”
All the work led to the dramatic penalty kick shootout in the end. Each team’s goalies and best scorers moved to one side of the field in hopes of earning the win for their team.
The visiting Lady Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead after two shots, with Macee Wilde finding the back of the net for Graham’s first goal. Then the Lady Blues’ standout keeper Lauster made her mark.
Burkburnett missed their next three penalty kicks, one off target and two incredible saves from Lauster to set her team up for a chance to win after Schlieper tied things up at 2-2. Kinsley Amburn took her position and fired a shot into the goal with no chance of a save from Burkburnett to give Graham the exciting 3-2 win.
The Lady Blues rushed the field and mobbed both Amburn and Lauster for their superb efforts in the final minutes. The win was well-deserved and helped make Senior Night that much more special for the team.
“I wish we could have made them all but we made enough,” Weil said about the shootout. “But (it was) huge by Taylor to come out and make those saves.”
Following the game, the Lady Blues honored their two seniors in Schlieper and Madi Wilde, who have each made numerous contributions to the soccer program. Hopefully, the team will push forward in the postseason and give them as much opportunity to keep playing games as possible.
“Everything that we do is just moving in the right direction,” Weil said. “So hopefully we can go get a couple of playoff wins and keep the program going in the right direction.”
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