Lady Panther goalkeeper Ella McCarty records a save in the final minutes of the match against McClain on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The match would end in a 1-1 tie. Also pictured for Miami Trace is Karleigh Cooper (1), Alli Knecht (6) and Gabbi Thoroman (13).
Tyler Flora | Record-Herald
The Miami Trace Lady Panthers (7-5, 2-5 FAC) hosted the McClain Lady Tigers (9-2-1, 4-2-1 FAC) on Thursday evening in a rivalry soccer match. Earlier in the season, McClain defeated Miami Trace by a score of 2-1.
After several back and forth possession where neither teams could find pay dirt, Lady Panther Marian Mara would punch one into the back of the net at the 23:33 mark of the first half.
Miami Trace would take the 1-0 lead into halftime.
At the 29:51 mark of the second half, McClain’s Karlee McGlone would score from about 15 yards out to tie the game at 1-1, which would be the final.
Lady Panther head coach Chad Tolbert spoke following the contest.
“I thought we came out in the beginning of the half a little sloppy, even though we were up 1-0. We challenged them at halftime to try to clean that up and prepare for the pressure because McClain does pressure the ball very, very well. I thought we did a decent job in the first half but we also weren’t quick enough to play it when we did get the ball, because of that pressure.
“In the second half, we gave up the tying goal which was similar to ours, just kind of a mess in front of the goal and they got one in, and kudos to them. Overall I still thought we played a lot better in the second half than we did in the first. I thought we had a lot more opportunities. The girls played hard, this is always a tough one for us over the last several years.”
Miami Trace plays again on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Hillsboro (6-6-1, 3-4-1 FAC). Earlier this season, Miami Trace defeated Hillsboro by a score of 4-2.
McClain (9-2-2, 4-2-2 FAC) will return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Chillicothe (7-3-2, 6-0-1 FAC). McClain and Chillicothe tied 2-2 earlier in the season.
