By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The top-seeded Webb City Lady Cardinals and third-seeded Carl Junction Lady Bulldogs hit the pitch Friday looking to add some additional hardware as they vied for the Class 3 District 6 championship at Drury’s Harrison Stadium.
Carl Junction senior forward Ella Anderson got the call she was hoping for.
A penalty in the box with the chance to put her team on her shoulders with the early second-half penalty-kick score, which she did a mere four minutes into the half, as the Bulldogs took a bite out of the Cardinals 1-0 to win the district title.
Anderson drilled the shot with authority, which made its way between the Cardinals goalkeeper and the left post.
“Every nerve, a lot of nerves in me,” Anderson said. “But once I made it, I knew we just had to defend.”
The opportunity to keep playing suits Anderson and company just fine after their early exit from districts one year ago.
For the first time since May 15, 2019, the Lady Bulldogs (18-4) outlasted the Webb City Lady Cardinals (13-7) for the coveted title.
“We had to defend. We had to work as a team and we definitely did that in this game,” Anderson said.
In the opening half, the Bulldogs owned the time of possession as both teams swapped shots on goal and free kicks.
Bend but don’t break.
Junior midfielder Lakyyn Evans drew the tough assignment: shut down the Cardinals top scorer, senior forward Dakota DeGraffenreid.
“Laken was on her,” Anderson said. “She just absolutely dominated staying by Dakota. She did her job perfectly. We played our game and kept our composure.”
The Cardinals had chances, one coming early in the second half as the shot on goal sailed wide right.
The Cardinals missed five shots down the stretch, a credit to senior goalkeeper Jadyn Howard.
“Jadyn, three-year goalkeeper, she is a great keeper,” Anderson said of her counterpart. “That was her time. She showed it. She worked it. It was absolutely amazing.”
Head coach Glenn Helms said while his team was down a few players in the 3-0 season-opening loss to Webb City in March, the progression has been palpable.
“The whole group has bought into the system,” Helms said. “They have basically mastered it. It is a great group of kids who checked all of the boxes. We worked hard, acted right and we had fun. That has been the whole motto all year.”
Now, the Bulldogs patiently await their May 30 Class 3 state quarterfinals opponent: Capital City (16-7).
Carl Junction will host.
