August 24, 2021
Just three months ago, almost to the day (May 22), the Jones College Lady Bobcats ended the Lady Warriors playoff run with a 1-0 decision in the MACCC/NJCAA Region 23 semifinals. The No. 12 Lady Warriors kept that in their back pocket as the team stunned the nationally-ranked No. 3 Lady Bobcats to open the 2021 fall season, 2-1. The victory came in thrilling fashion as Lexi Green (Lucedale) played a beautiful cross to Sasha Clare (Belfast, United Kingdom) who put it into the back of the net with just six seconds on the clock.
"It was a gutsy performance against a top side on Jones. They had the better of the possession and chances, but we are excited to finish two quality opportunities from Nicole and Sasha," said ECCC head coach Ryan Joiner. "We have so much respect for the program at Jones and what coach Dolores has done there, and we fully expect to see them as a playoff team again. We had an organized and passionate performance from the girls tonight and, again, excited for a win on the road!"
The Lady Warriors' other goal came early in the second half, after a scoreless first half. Nicole O'Neill (Dublin, Ireland) found the net on a free kick from about 22 yards out in the opening minutes. The shot put ECCC on top 1-0, but it was short-lived as the Lady Bobcats rallied and knotted the game just nine minutes later.
Overall, the Lady Bobcats had many more chances with 15 shots to the Lady Warriors' three, six corner kicks to ECCC's one, and seven shots on goal to ECCC's three, but the Lady Warriors got them when it mattered the most.
The win snaps a 15-game losing streak to the Lady Bobcats.
Clare finished with two shots, while O'Neill posted one. Olivia Clark (Decatur) posted six saves in the contest.
