Fairbanks’ Lilly Dean (3) tries to break free of a Lady Mustang offender. Dean claimed the team’s only goal of the night in the 1-0 win. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
The Fairbanks Lady Panthers have not allowed a goal in the last five soccer matches.
That streak continued Tuesday evening as FHS defeated Lynchburg-Clay 1-0 in the Division III regional semifinals.
“Our plan has always been to possess the ball and move it well,” Fairbanks head coach Randy Spain said. “We weren’t able to do what we wanted in the first half.
“In the second half, we created some opportunities.”
A chilly climate could be felt by both fans and players alike in the neutral site, which was Hernstain Field, home of the Chillicothe Cavaliers.
Things were an even keel in the first half of play as both offensive schemes traced down the ball mightily just for a chance at a goal.
Lynchburg started to show toughness in the latter half of the first period by bumping elbows with opposing Lady Panthers.
At the halfway point of the opening period, Lynchburg-Clay recorded one shot attempt along with three corner kicks.
At the same time, the Lady Panthers tallied one shot on goal.
“Just relax,” Spain told his team at halftime while also making minor adjustments on the offensive end. “We were just very defensive-minded, I felt.”
Coming out of the break, Lynchburg-Clay went right at the Lady Panthers’ throats.
It went straight for the goal in the initial opening minutes of the second half.
Like a turtle in a rabbit race, it was only a matter of time, though, before something finally clicked for Fairbanks.
With 24:24 left to play, Fairbanks scored the only goal it needed.
Lilly Dean scored the goal, with an assist going to sister Rebecca.
The Lady Panthers tried desperately to control the field of play, focusing their ball movement near midfield and on Lyncburg’s side of the pitch.
The Lady Mustangs did not falter however, trying desperately to get ball possession.
They fell short after being whistled for several penalties.
Lynchburg-Clay found itself close to tying the match with no one in between one of its players and FHS keeper Madi Cook.
Cook’s save rebounded off her hands and was cleared by a teammate.
“Our defense and our keeper are really solid,” Spain said. “Lynchburg-Clay is a very good team.”
The Lady Panthers and Mustangs matched each other in terms of offensive performance with both squads notching seven shots on goal.
Both units tallied a total of nine fouls — four on Fairbanks and five for the Lady Mustangs.
As time slowly wound down, Fairbanks earned the right to move onto Saturday’s regional title contest.
The Lady Panthers (14-6) will face Winchester Eastern for the right to advance to the state Final Four.
The regional championship match will be played on Saturday.
Check tomorrow’s Journal-Tribune for the match’s time and location.