Staff Reports
CENTRE – Ava Haygood and Berkley Isaacs scored a goal apiece, and the Cherokee County Lady Warriors held on against Talladega 2-1 for the program’s first Class 4A soccer playoff win Monday.
“I’m extremely proud of our girls tonight. They just wouldn’t quit,” Cherokee County head coach Paul Sewell said. “While we didn’t play our best, the girls were resilient and just wouldn’t let up. Our girls wanted this one and it what was evident by how aggressive we were.”
Cherokee County built a two-goal lead before halftime. Talladega sophomore midfielder Piper Ervin made it a one-score game with her goal with 25 minutes remaining.
“We had told the players that number 4 (Ervin) for Talladega was talented, and it took us man-marking with our Chloe Battles to really give us the advantage. She stepped up and really played a vital role in our success,” Sewell said. “She ended up scoring, but otherwise Chloe was the difference maker tonight, limiting her to very few offense attacks.
“Also credit to our center backs of Chloe Wood and Kadie Henderson, who held the defense together on a night when the offense wasn’t clicking. Lyla Martin and Bryleigh Johnson at outside backs really played aggressive and helped us keep the ball in Talladega’s half of the field. Cali Martin, our keeper, also had a great game with five saves.”
The Lady Warriors will host either Hokes Bluff or White Plains in the second round on Thursday. Hokes Bluff plays at White Plains on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
