By BILL BURRUS
Sports Editor
A familiar foe stands in Pillow Academy’s way to a return visit to the State AAAA, Division II title game.
That would be East Rankin. The two teams square off at 5 p.m. Thursday at PA’s Chazzy Moor Field in what will be a rematch of last year’s state semifinal contest.
The Lady Mustangs fell behind 2-0 in that game before rallying for an exciting 4-3 win in a shootout. PA also beat East Rankin in a close match during the 2015 regular season.
Thursday will mark the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
The winner advances to Monday’s state title game, which will be hosted by defending champion Lamar School.
“It should be an interesting matchup for sure,” said Amy Coleman, whose team is 6-4-2. “They have a lot of players back from that team, but they did lose a really good goalie. They are playing an eighth-grader in the goal now.”
East Rankin’s top player is senior Mackenzie Thompson, a fast, physical player in the middle who has several college basketball scholarship offers.
“Our focus in practice has been making sure we limit her receiving the ball with Adair (Brock) and Catherine Grace (Lary),” Coleman said.
East Rankin may be without its leading scorer, sophomore Bailey Thompson, the younger sister of Mackenzie. Bailey is battling a back injury after leaving her team’s first-round playoff victory over Washington School on Monday.
If she is in the game Thursday, Coleman said the Lady Mustangs will look to eighth-grader Madeline Kelly to not give Bailey room to shoot.
Pillow isn’t fully healthy for this match either, Coleman said. Center backs Elizabeth Gallagher and Analise Bush are nursing injuries but will play.
PA’s leading scorer is sophomore Claire Coleman with 10 goals, followed by Anna Katherine Alderman (7) and Lary (6).
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.