Pillow Academy’s girls soccer squad hopes the fourth time is a charm this afternoon as they battle for their first state championship since 2004.
The Lady Mustangs play Hartfield Academy of Flowood in the State AAAA Division II championship game at 1:30 p.m. today on the artificial turf of Jackson Academy. This will be Pillow’s fourth straight year in the championship game, a run which includes three straight one-goal losses to the Lamar School. Pillow eliminated the Lamar School 3-0 in a semifinal clash on Thursday.
“We have split games with Hartfield this season, and both of those games were one-sided affairs,” Pillow coach Amy Coleman said.
Pillow opened its season with a 3-0 loss to Hartfield and then avenged that defeat with a 7-0 victory at home.
“We have not played one another full strength, so we will both be seeing very different teams from what we played.”
Pillow (11-3) has outscored its opponents 36-2 since losing 2-1 to powerhouse MRA in August. The team is led by a stingy defense anchored by Madeline Kelly and Mia Cole, with athletic outside defenders in Julia Love Lyon and Kaley Hardin. Goalkeeper Jane Rob Pannell will be playing in her third straight and final state championship game.
The offense is led by senior Claire Coleman with 19 goals, followed by Sara Presley Howard with 12 goals. Other key offensive starters include Madison Barlow, Catherine Grace Lary, Georgia Caroline Self and Caroline Brock. Also seeing action will be Lillie Smith, Elizabeth Powers, Isabella Vasquez and Avery Howard.
Asked about the key to the contest, Coleman talked about her midfielders ability to pass.
“Catherine Grace, Georgia Caroline and Caroline have gelled together perfectly. They constantly feed our offense wonderful passes out of the back, and that will be the difference in the game,” Coach Coleman said.
The championship game will be livestreamed at www.pillowacademy.com.
