In a spectacular battle between two defending state champions, Pillow Academy fought Jackson Academy to a 2-2 tie Monday evening in Greenwood at Chazzy Moore Field
Pillow, the defending state AAAA Division II champs, held a 2-1 lead late into the second half until JA tied the game up with less than two minutes left. The visiting Lady Raiders, the defending state AAAA Division I state champions, were lucky to escape with a tie in an electrifying contest between two traditional soccer superpowers.
“Our girls showed up tonight and put into place every piece of the team puzzle,” Pillow fourth year head coach Amy Coleman said after the contest. “If we can carry this momentum forward, I would put our team up against any team out there.”
Pillow was able to strike early against the favored Lady Raiders when Caroline Brock sent a free kick from midfield over the top of the JA defense. Forward Sarah Presley Howard was able to launch a shot off the JA goalie, get her own rebound and knock it in for a 1-0 lead only five minutes into the contest.
Twenty minutes later, JA was able to tie the game up when the Pillow defense was unable to clear the ball in the box and JA poked one in. Despite the goal, Coleman was extremely pleased with her defensive effort against the JA high octane offense.
“Our defense is glad to have Julia Love Lyon back from injury,” said Coleman. “With Caroline Brock, Mia Cole, Kayley Hardin, Madeline Kelly, and Julia Love on the back line, and with a powerful keeper like Madeline Mattox, JA found out we are hard to score on.”
Pillow took a 2-1 lead early in the second half on a put-in off a Sarah Presley Howard corner kick by little sister Alyse Howard. The stout defense of the Lady Mustangs then withstood wave after wave of JA attack for the remainder of the second half. JA tied up the game late, scoring from a scorching shot from 40 yards out that rose over the fingertips of Mattox.
JA outshot Pillow 10-6 for the contest and outcornered Pillow 6-2. Pillow picked up two yellow cards versus JA’s one yellow card in a highly physical battle.
Pillow (7-4-1) closes out its regular season at home on Wednesday versus Magnolia Heights Academy. They will then open up the playoffs at home next Monday in the quarterfinals versus Starkville Academy.
