WEST POINT – The West Point Lady Warriors got their first taste of victory Friday night.
An offside call took a goal off the board for the Haleyville Lady Lions and West Point made the Lady Lions pay for their error two minutes later.
A goal from Mallory Campbell off an assist by Bridget Morales was delivered by the Lady Warriors. West Point finished off a 1-0 victory, its first in its inaugural season playing soccer in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
West Point had been outshot by Haleyville for the entire game. But after the goal was disallowed by the officials, the Lady Warriors were finally able to get the ball into the Haleyville zone and make it count with the goal from Campbell.
Melissa Lee was sharp in goal all evening for the Lady Warriors. In the first 40 minutes, Lee turned away seven shots by Haleyville attackers.
Haleyville dominated the half by having the ball more in West Point's zone, with the Lady Warriors unable to get a shot on goal against the Haleyville goalkeeper.
The Lady Warriors were near the zone right before the half ended, but couldn't convert, as the 4A/5A Area 14 game was scoreless at the break.
West Point faced adversity to start the second half as Destiny Riggs went down with an ankle injury and the Lady Warriors had no one to replace her. They played the final 38 minutes short-handed.
But with the defense adjusting and Lee showing aggressive play on goal, Haleyville could only get four opportunities to score against her. In total, Lee turned away 11 Haleyville shots.
When the Haleyville score was taken off the board at the 25:00 mark, the Lady Warriors took over and advanced the ball deep into the Lady Lions' zone. They were able to get it to Campbell, with the eighth grader directing the ball by the goalie as celebration erupted on the West Point sidelines.
Still with over half of the second half to be played, the Lady Warriors held firm on the Haleyville attack. In the last couple of minutes, West Point kept the ball near midfield, and Haleyville ran out of time to try and score a possible tying goal.
West Point broke a 0-9 start on its inaugural season, keeping Haleyville from getting its first of the year as well. The Lady Warriors got their first goal since March 8 in a game with Brewer.
Now the Lady Warriors look to continue their winning ways with an area game at home Monday against Priceville, then visit St. Bernard Prep for an encounter Tuesday with the Lady Saints.
Haleyville 2, West Point 0 (Boys)
West Point yielded a goal 12 minutes into the contest and struggled to get the ball into the Haleyville zone. The Warriors had one shot by halftime.
Caleb Barnette was playing hard in goal for the Warriors. Near the halfway portion of the second half, the Lions were putting the pressure on Barnette and his defensive teammates.
The turning point came with 15:45 to go when Haleyville scored on a penalty kick after the Warriors were guilty of a hand ball off a corner kick from the Lions.
West Point was unable to overcome the miscue and allowed 14 shots on goal in the second half. Haleyville held the Warriors to seven chances with the Warriors unable to score on a good opportunity when the game went under 2:00 remaining.
The win by Haleyville ended a six-game losing streak. West Point was coming off playing hard seven days earlier the last time they were at home, when Warriors and county rival Fairview fought to a 1-1 draw.
Now 0-8-1, coach Tyler Yearwood's Warriors deal with Priceville at home Monday and visit St. Bernard Tuesday. Yearwood is a former standout athlete at St. Bernard from several years ago.
The game with the Saints will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday following the Lady Warriors vs. the Lady Saints at 5 p.m.
