The Gilmer High School Bobcats soccer teams, both girls and boys, hosted the Purple Hurricanes of Cartersville, in what early during the Lady “Cats’” contest looked like hurricane type conditions. The Lady “Cats” fell 3-1, while the Bobcats males made mincemeat out of Cartersville winning 4-2 in double overtime. Goalie Brandon Lynch was the hero for the “Cats,” blocking two penalty kicks in the second overtime period to preserve the Gilmer victory.The girls’ game opened with a down pour befitting the visitors’ namesake. Cartersville took the lead early, with a goal by Makaylie Gibbs with 13:58 left in the first half. Gibbs, shot from way out, and was able to catch Gilmer goalie, Lilli Divirgilio out of the goal. The shot bounced over Divirgilio’s head and the Lady “Cats” faced a one nil deficit.

As the rain began to decrease its flow in the second half, the Lady Hurricanes poured it on. The Cartersville lead increased to two nil with a goal by Kaitlyn Abernathy with 20:12 left in the second half.

The claws came out for the Lady “Cats” with 13:58 left in the second, when CeCe Jenkins scored on a fast break goal, that bounced over the goalie’s head, an breathed life into the Gilmer attack.

Cartersville sealed the victory with 8:58 left in the game when Anna Phillips scored the last goal of the game.

The boys’ contest was the total opposite of the girls’ game. A defensive stalemate was the key to the game, as neither team was able to penetrate the other’s defense throughout regulation and two five minutes half of overtime, leading to the game deciding penalty kicks.

Gilmer scored first as Rigoberto Reynoso beat the opposing goal keeper for the game’s first point. Gilmer goalie, Brandon Lynch, denied the first Cartersville shot, allowing Gilmer to seek a two nil lead. Braulio Cass ensured the two nil lead by scoring on the next Bobcats shot.

Cartersville pulled within one on the next penalty shot making the score 2-1. Alex Hernandez put the Bobcats up 3-1.

Cartersville again was successful in pulling within one, making the score 3-2. Freddy Salgado kept the pressure on the Purple Hurricanes by putting Gilmer up 4-2.

Next came Cartersville’s last chance to stay in the game, with only five shots awarded per team, and Gilmer having already made four, another missed Cartersville shot would secure victory for Gilmer. Lynch hung the Purple Hurricanes out to dry, with his aforementioned game sealing save. The save secured the win and the Bobcat boys bum rushed Brandon in a celebratory pile on.

Exclusive FYN Video of Double OT Penalty Kicks Shoot Out