By Michael Lindsay
80 minutes weren’t enough between Stone Memorial and Cumberland County’s girls soccer teams Tuesday evening as the Lady Jets took down SMHS in overtime, 2-1.
“Stone is good, and we knew it would be a battle,” said CCHS head coach Cub Whitson. “I’m glad that we have this huge rivalry game. The atmosphere and energy are exactly what we need to prep us for the district tournament. I’m grateful for that experience.”
Cumberland County freshman Mariana “Nana” Alva delivered the game-winning overtime goal as she connected on a left-footed strike from inside the box, giving CCHS the 2-1 win.
Alva’s game-winner was set up by a Peyton Dunlap pass from the right corner that deflected off a Lady Panther defender. Alva controlled the wayward ball before delivering the knockout blow into the far right side of the net.
“It’s still a blur,” Whitson said. “Nana was in the right place at the right time.”
Stone Memorial struck first as senior captain Haley Suggs scored on a breakaway run at the CCHS goal with 37:35 left in the first half to take a 1-0 lead.
Neither defense budged through the rest of the first period as Stone Memorial took their 1-0 lead into halftime.
Trailing 1-0, Cumberland County got on the board with 15:17 remaining in the second half as Alva connected on a highlight-reel shot from outside the box on the right side to knot the game at one goal each.
“She’s been playing soccer for a long time,” Whitson said of Alva. “When the ball’s at her feet, she can make things happen. It’s awesome to coach a kid of that caliber.”
The 1-1 stalemate stood through regulation, sending the teams to overtime and setting up Alva’s overtime golden goal.
Defensively, Lady Jet senior keeper Jaci Brannon kept SMHS out of the net for over 40 minutes of action.
“They had a few good looks, especially off free kicks,” Whitson said. “Jaci made a fantastic save late, and for the most part our defenders were solid.”
The showdown with Stone Memorial is a key momentum builder for Cumberland County late in the season.
“We try to schedule our last few games against tough teams,” Whitson said. “Our last three games of the season are definitely that. Stone is the first of those three.”
The Lady Jets improve to 11-5 overall and 6-1 in District 6AA play, while Stone Memorial falls to 6-6-1 and 3-2 in league play.
Up next, Stone Memorial hosts White County on Thursday while CCHS is scheduled to play at East Hamilton on Saturday and host Oneida on Monday.
