By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

HOKES BLUFF – Cherokee County High School’s Kadie Henderson placed the ball in the back of the net on the deciding penalty kick, lifting the Lady Warriors to a 4-3 Class 4A, Area 6 victory at Hokes Bluff on Monday evening. The win secured the first area championship in Cherokee County High School soccer history.

“Going into this season, we knew we were talented but young. This season would be about growth,” Cherokee County High School coach Paul Sewell said. “Starting four middle schoolers and not having a single senior, we knew teams would be older and more physical, but we continued to preach being the hardest-working team for 80 minutes. These girls have believed in us and bought in. They made Cherokee County soccer history, but we know the job is not finished.”

The Lady Warriors’ first goal was a breakaway for Ava Haygood in the first 10 minutes of the game. Presley Shumate placed a pass through the Hokes Bluff back line to Haygood, who fired a shot from the left side for another Lady Warrior goal with eight minutes left in the half.

Hokes Bluff made it a 2-1 game at halftime. Cherokee County extended its lead to 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining in the match, but the Lady Eagles stormed back to tie the game with a pair of goals with three minutes remaining, eventually forcing overtime.

There was no winner following the extra period, forcing a penalty kick shootout.

Sewell placed Haygood in the goal during the penalty kick shootout, where she made saves on Hokes Bluff’s first, third and fourth penalty kick attempts.

Chloe Wood made the Lady Warriors’ first penalty kick. The Lady Warriors missed on their second and third attempts. Reagan Tallent tallied a goal on the fourth, setting up Henderson on the fifth kick for the game winner.

The Lady Warriors will host Area 5 runner-up Talladega in the first round of the state playoffs on Monday.

“We’ve set our sights on a talented Talladega team on Monday and look to continue making history,” Sewell said.