Just ask Flowery Branch.
The Lady Falcons spent weeks practicing for the exact situation in which they found themselves on Tuesday, facing a best-of-five shootout against Pope with a state quarterfinal berth on the line.
Yet Flowery Branch's girls could only watch as the visitors converted four of their five spot kicks to take the shootout 4-2 and decide a contest that finished 1-1 after regulation and overtime. The result knocked the Lady Falcons from the postseason and brought the Region 8-AAAAA champions season to an end. (Editor's note: Scroll down for a look at all of the night's results for area teams and a schedule of today's games.)
"We worked on penalties in practice more this year than any other year," Flowery Branch coach Katie Scali said. "But it's so hard to simulate a shootout in practice."
The result proved a bitter outcome for a Lady Falcons team that controlled much of the second half and held a 1-0 lead for more than 32 minutes before Pope capitalized on one defensive miscue to knot the match at 1-1.
Flowery Branch freshman Kimberly McNeil broke a scoreless tie just two minutes into the second half when the forward pounced on a loose ball in the Greyhounds penalty area, prodding a close-range shot past Pope goalkeeper Sam Piper.
The strike looked set to book a third round Class AAAAA postseason spot for the Lady Falcons (13-4-2), as Flowery Branch kept the pressure on Pope and turned away sporadic counter-attacks from the visitors. But with just over five minutes remaining, Pope's Jessie Sexton made the most of a mis-communication in the Lady Falcons' defense, as two Flowery Branch players collided in front of goal -- allowing Sexton to roll her shot into an empty net with 5:25 left to play.
"It was unfortunate; there was some bad communication there, and I think we were getting back on our heels and a little tired," Scali said. "Props to Pope for not giving in."
The late goal provided a stunning reversal after the Lady Falcons had seemingly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck -- beginning late in the first half.
After an even start, Flowery Branch began to pin Pope (12-5-2) deeper and deeper in its own half, as Jacy Ramey, Kayla Robles, Laura Zwald and Corrie Thomas combined to take control of midfield, Robles and Ramey creating havoc in the Greyhounds defense. Yet Flowery Branch ended the half still looking for its opening goal as Pope showed plenty of its own determination.
The Lady Falcons didn't have to wait much longer, however.
Storming out of halftime, Flowery Branch's Julia Sienkiewicz drove a low pass into the Pope penalty area that pinged off two players and fell perfectly for McNeil, who beat Piper at her near post.
"She was in the right place at the right time; she's a great player and has really come a long way in a short time for us," Scali said of the freshman striker. "I can't wait to see her play for us for the next three years."
The goal only seemed to make the Lady Falcons hungrier for more, and Flowery Branch attacked for much of the half -- especially on set pieces, where Ramey's athleticism tormented the Pope defense, as the midfielder rose to meet three different corner kicks. Yet each header flew agonizingly over the Pope crossbar.
The Greyhounds made the most of their good fortune and equalized to send the game into overtime, where McNeil just missed a chance to add her second -- Piper charging out to gather a pass at the striker's feet and cinch the shootout.
Pope went first and converted its first three attempts before Elizabeth Bachmann saved the Greyhounds fourth attempt. Yet by then Flowery Branch was already trailing 3-1 after missing its first two attempts. Hannah Kirk and Thomas each scored on their two attempts, but Pope's Alex Grace sealed the contest and ended the Lady Falcons' season by converting the Greyhounds' fifth spot kick.
"We were in a great spot and just didn't capitalize," Scali said. "I hate for it to go this way, but I couldn't be more proud of my players for the way they fought and played this season. We've had back-to-back great senior classes that have really led us. They have great attitudes and great work ethic. They're just good kids."
TUESDAY'S GIRLS STATE PLAYOFF SOCCER RESULTS
Class AAAAA
Pope 1, Flowery Branch 1 -- Pope wins 4-2 in penalty shootout
Class AAA
Buford 5, Oconee County 0
Woodward Academy 3, Jackson County 0
Class AA
Wesleyan 8, Jefferson 0
Greater Atlanta Christian 9, Union County 0
Westminster 10, Rabun County 0
WEDNESDAY'S BOYS STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Class AAAAA
Gainesville at Pope
Class AAAA
Northwest Whitfield at Chestatee
Johnson at Dalton
Class AAA
Oconee County at West Hall
East Hall at North Murray
Class AA
Lovett at Riverside Military
Rabun County at Calhoun
Union County at Greater Atlanta Christian
Flowery Branch's Kayla Robles (2) battles a Pope defender for a header during the Lady Falcons' penalty shootout defeat on Tuesday in Flowery Branch.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/5/261315