Soccer: Last-minute strike lifts Ridgeland boys past LaFayette

With time ticking down in the final minute of regulation, Angel Ojeda fired a blast from some 20 yards out and found the lower far post to break a tie and give the Ridgeland Panthers a dramatic 2-1 win over county foe LaFayette and a sweep in the season series.

An unassisted tally by Christian Crumble in the 55 th minute put the visitors ahead, but the Ramblers would answer right back six minutes later as Gio Jackson found the back of the net.

“It was a very exciting game,” Ridgeland head coach Tim Sparks said. “Both teams played very hard and we were fortunate to leave with the win. I felt like we had the better of the play in the first half and maybe 20 minutes into the second half, but we were under immense pressure in the last 20 minutes.

“After (LaFayette) leveled the game, we absorbed a lot of pressure. They had a guy that could throw it in a long way and every throw-in they had in their attacking third was a goal scoring opportunity (for them).”

LaFayette head coach Casey Payne said he was proud of his team, even in defeat.

“It was definitely our best game of the season and a hard-fought match,” he explained.

Ridgeland outshot LaFayette, 14-11, while Jett Harrison had 10 saves for the Ramblers.

LaFayette girls 5, Ridgeland 1

The Lady Ramblers scored their second win over their rivals on Senior Night in south Walker County.

Bailey Tarvin paced the LaFayette offense with a hat trick, while Karissa Tatum and Kailee Queen added one goal each. Tatum, Tarvin, Queen, Rylee Henderson and Megan Wilson all picked up assists.

The Lady Ramblers defense was led by standouts Ashton Stalling, Shelby Adkins and Kyla Burnette, while keeper Montana Aldridge had five saves in net.

It was the final home games for seniors Aldridge, Tatum and Hannah Blevins, along with LaFayette High Swedish exchange student Malin Thorsen.

Madison Doty scored the lone goal for the Lady Panthers, while Whitney Boehm, Courtney Durham and Katie Davis had shots on goal.

Ridgeland girls 8, Morris Innovative 0

The Lady Panthers collected their second victory of the season last Monday night with a shutout in Dalton.

Boehm had a hat trick for the Black-andWhite. Doty scored a pair of goals, while Davis and Katie Carruth each found the net once. Nayeli Leon also forced an own goal by the Lady Tigers.

Keeper Morgan Crawford finished with three saves in the non-

Ridgeland boys 1, Morris Innovative 0

In the nightcap, an unassisted blast by Crumble turned out to be all the Panthers would get or need in a win over the Tigers.

Kolston Byrd recorded the shutout in goal for Ridgeland.

LFO girls 5, Ridgeland 3

The Lady Warriors got a hat trick from Chelsey Lindsay - her second of the season - in a season-ending home victory over Ridgeland last Tuesday.

Kristina Wooten and Faith Jones each found the net.

Boehm, Doty and Davis all scored once for the Lady Panthers.

A lack of officials for the nightcap resulted in the boys’ match being cancelled.

Heritage boys 4, LaFayette 0

Jameson Wright, Ethan Demo, Christian Sawyer and Denis Viars all found the net once and the Generals picked up a Region 6-AAAA victory at home against LaFayette this past Tuesday.

Jett Harrison made 15 saves for the Ramblers.

The Lady Ramblers were slated to face Southeast Whitfield in a make-up match Monday in Dalton, but results were not available as of press time.

Ridgeland’s team will close out the year at home against Christian Heritage on Tuesday, while LaFayette will end the regular season on the road at Chattooga on Thursday.