The Lady Hornets Soccer Team took on the Savannah Savages in the first round of the Class 2 District 8 Tournament on Saturday in Maryville. The match marked the 3rd time this season the Lady Hornets and Lady Savages have faced off. The first 2 contests were won by Savannah 4-1 and 6-2 respectively.
The Lady Hornets, led by a stingy defensive effort by the entire team, would work to change the narrative on this match. Chillicothe came out with a game plan to slow down the Savannah attach and limit their opportunities. Through that effort, the score at halftime was 0-0. Layla McKinnis took care of the goal for the Lady Hornets on the afternoon and kept the few opportunities by Savannah from ever crossing the end line.
In the 2nd half, Chillicothe continued it’s defensive efforts and keep Savannah bewildered at the lack of quality opportunities. Chillicothe would get a few of it’s own and continue to put pressure on the Savannah defense but through it all, the end of regulation score was still 0-0.
Collectively, the Chillicothe defense led by the entire squad continued it’s defensive wall through both 15 minute overtime sessions. McKinnis made a few diving saves on set pieces by the Lady Savages and through 2 overtime periods the game headed to Penalty Kicks knotted at 0-0.
Savannah would takes it’s shots first and made 1 of 5 shots. Chillicothe would only need to take 4 shots, making 2, to secure the 2-1 Penalty Kick victory over Savannah. Allie West and Sophie Hurtgen each converted Penalty Kicks for the Lady Hornets while McKinnis made a pair of saves in the shootout.
The win brings the Chillicothe Lady Hornets record to 7-11 and they advance the district semi-final vs. Maryville on Tuesday at 7 pm.
