Milton, Georgia – The Cambridge Lady Bears Soccer team won with a score of 2-1 after the finish of 2 overtime periods, in a rematch of the 2021 State Championship game against the Johns Creek Gladiators, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
The highly anticipated region game, between the teams ranked 1st and 3rd did not disappoint. As if the rematch hype wasn't enough, the weather added drama to the evening with pouring rain and cold temperatures causing a 30-minute delay. Once the players took the field, the physical commitment between these two teams was consistent as ever.
After 15 minutes of play, Cambridge set up to take a corner kick. Sophomore midfielder Natalie Leibel took a hard shot which was perfectly placed in front of the net for Junior Forward Jordynn Dudley who leapt up and hit a strong header over the defender into the goal. The Lady Bears scored first in their attempt at redemption, the crowd went wild, yelling and ringing cow bells which could be heard over the pouring rain. The score was 1-0. Then, with 7 minutes left in the half, the Gladiators answered with quick passing in the front and a shot past Senior Captain Goalkeeper Olivia Barfield, the score was 1-1. The rain continued to come down, but the Bears fans kept cheering their support. At the half, the score was still 1-1.
The physical nature of the game continued. The Lady Bears would take 13 free kicks off fouls and the Gladiators took nine. Early in the second half, Junior Forward Jordynn Dudley battled for the ball with a Johns Creek defender and they both went down to the turf. Dudley had to come off the field to check on an injury as a result of the play. The defense played strong and did not let up on the Johns Creek forwards. The Cambridge midfielders controlled the field and at the end of regulation the game was still tied at 1 goal per side.
Exactly one year ago, on March 7, 2021, the Region game between these two teams ended two halves of play with the same score. So, when the first overtime period began, everyone in the Cambridge stands could feel the intensity in the play from the Lady Bears. They were playing smart and making excellent decisions with the ball. Midway through the first overtime, Sophomore Natalie Leibel received the ball and made a fast run with excellent control of the ball passing two Gladiator midfielders in her path. Seeing Junior Jordynn Dudley making a run to receive the ball, Leibel made a perfectly timed pass to Dudley's feet. Dudley, dribbled quickly through two defenders and shot directly into the back of the net. The bench and the crowd went wild, the field players all gathered for a celebration as the score was now 2-1 in favor of the Bears.
The first overtime period ended with the score of 2-1. If Johns Creek tied up the game, we were headed to PKs. The Lady Bears would not let that happen. The defense continued to battle hard despite the difficult weather conditions and the exhaustion from playing a full 100 minutes of fast soccer. Senior Ella Crawley was flawless in her ability to put pressure on a ball carrier with calm and control. Sophomore Kaitlyn Clark and Freshman Raygen Lewis shut down the midfield with their ball distribution and quick feeds. All of Bear Country held their breath as the clock ticked off the final minutes of play. Until finally the buzzer sounded, and the Lady Bears beat Johns Creek with a final score after 2 OT periods of 2-1. Redemption indeed, at last.
The Lady Bears will host Centennial high school on Tuesday, March 15th at 6:00 pm. They will recognize the seven fabulous graduating seniors – Olivia Barfield (Goalkeeper), McCall Bennett (Forward), Katelyn Byrne (Team Manager), Ella Ciardullo (Forward), Ella Crawley (Defense), Kate Leibel (Midfield), Gabby Quinn (Goalkeeper).
Let's Go Bears!
