BOGUE CHITTO — Wesson spoiled Bogue Chitto’s senior night by winning a penalty shootout 5-4 in a MHSAA Class 1 Region 7 Girls District match Tuesday night. Teams were deadlocked at one goal a piece for the first 100 minutes of game time before going to penalties on a chilly night. 

Bogue Chitto opened the scoring with an early goal by Jacey Hutson. The sophomore forward scored three minutes into the match on a counter attack. It looked like the Bobcats were in control of the match for the first 20 minutes. 

They attacked quickly in transition and moved the ball up the pitch but did not capitalize in the final third to add any more goals. Wesson pulled themselves back into the game and started creating chances with about 16 minutes to go before halftime. 

One scoring opportunity for Wesson came on a breakaway but the shot was fired just wide of the post and another trickled toward the goal line but no Cobra attacker put the ball in the back of the net. Wesson’s Lilly Channell, a junior midfielder, scored a goal with two minutes left in the first half to tie up the match. 

“It was a different goal. I hadn’t scored on a header before. It felt good thought,” Channell said. “We got the win and it felt good. We could have made more shots. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. When you play in the cold you forget it because you want to win. You know other players are struggling too.” 

Bogue Chitto had many chances to take the lead in the second half and could not find a way to put the ball in the goal on three quick chances. They pinned the Cobras deep with about 10 minutes left and could not score. 

In overtime, both teams had chances to score go ahead goals but could not find a way to pull ahead. After 20 minutes of overtime, the match went to penalty kicks where the drama intensified.

Bogue Chitto goalkeeper Kylie Pittman, a freshman, was playing in her first match in goal and had never been in a penalty shootout before. She saved two of the first three shots taken by Wesson to give her team the advantage. 

Wesson’s experienced senior goalkeeper Mallory Sanders then stepped up to make three consecutive saves for the Cobras to win the penalty shootout. After her last save, it took a moment for her to realize what had happened. 

“Wait, we just won,” Sanders said. 

She ran off to celebrate with her teammates who jumped around with glee. It is their fifth win overall this year and second district win. Wesson is now in fourth place in the district with three district games left. The top four district teams go to playoffs. 

“It was tiring but nerve racking too. I’m glad we got the win,” Channell said. “It helps to win this district game. We couldn’t have done it without our coaches. We have struggled to start this season but have gotten back and practiced more. It feels good to come out with a win after Christmas break. We fought hard for this win.”