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Jonah Whittington, a junior, controls the ball for West Lincoln in a 4-0 loss to Wesson. The Bears had three great chances to score. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

Aiden Wallace, a junior, attempts to stop the ball before a throw-in for Wesson. He had the first goal in a 4-0 victory over West Lincoln Thursday night. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

Dayle Easley leaps with joy after scoring an equalizing goal on a free kick for West Lincoln. The Lady Bears lost to Wesson 3-2 in extra time. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

Macy Loy lunges to try and keep the ball inbounds as Wesson fought to a 3-2 victory over West Lincoln Thursday night. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

West Lincoln's new head coach Dana Smith has her team playing better soccer. The Bears have made progress. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

Anna Jones, a senior, takes a penalty kick. Her attempt was saved but she later scored a goal to tie the match at 1-1 in the first half. West Lincoln ultimately lost 3-2 to Wesson in extra time. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)

WEST LINCOLN — It took extra time for Wesson to beat West Lincoln 3-2 in a MHSAA Class 1 Region 7 district girls soccer match Thursday night. In boys soccer, the Cobras flew to a 4-0 victory over the Bears. 

Despite the losses, West Lincoln looked better than ever before and the team maintained a fighting spirit. Instead of getting their heads down when Courtney Carr scored the first goal for Wesson in the first 10 minutes, West Lincoln dug in and went to work to create goal scoring chances. 

They have truly made progress under head coach Dana Smith. For example, the Lady Bears were disappointed with their result marking a change in mindset for the program. 

Anna Jones, who scored the first goal for West Lincoln, was thrilled to score but wanted a little more. Her shot slipped through the legs of one defender and the keeper misjudged it as she equalized the match just before halftime. 

“I feel we could have done better. We have played better,” Jones said. “We didn’t show what we have accomplished in the past. I feel like we have improved with Coach Smith in our fundamentals and we have been a better team. We have grown as a team.”

Jones said her personal growth is that she no longer plays scared. Her goal came on a shot which would have been a low percentage chance but was the right choice. The goal also avenged a penalty kick she missed minutes before. 

“I just play because I love the game,” Jones said. “I’ve been playing since seventh grade. I’m glad I’ve made it this far but I’m also sad because it is my senior year. I’m going to miss the team, all of our bonding. I’m going to miss it all.”

West Lincoln showed a great bond in the second half as the team worked together to overcome another deficit. Meredith McKenzie scored the go ahead goal for Wesson with 12 minutes left in the second half. The chance came on a defensive miscue by West Lincoln. 

Around 10 minutes later, West Lincoln won a free kick on the edge of the box. Dayle Easley stepped up and looped a shot over the outstretched gloves of the keeper into the goal and started leaping with joy. She was swarmed by teammates who hugged her. 

Wesson scored the last goal of the match in the last seconds of the first extra time period. Zoey Ashley scored on a counter attack. West Lincoln was unable to score in the second extra time period to fall to 1-2 in district play. 

“I think we will get even better,” Jones said. 

Cobras fly to victory

Wesson’s boys team flew all over the field and it made the main difference in the match. West Lincoln had three great goal scoring opportunities but could not get the ball past the Wesson goalkeeper. 

Wesson ultimately won 4-0 but the game was much closer. West Lincoln was able to match the intensity but didn’t have enough skill and size as Wesson did. 

Cobra junior Aiden Wallace scored about midway through the first half followed by a second goal by Christian Cayax-Marin. Wesson had a 2-0 lead just like that. 

Cayax-Marin scored the third goal of the match in the second half. With 16 minutes left, Gavin Sandifer picked up the fourth goal for Wesson on a spectacular cross. 

“It feels great to get the win. I like that we play as a team and have grown up this year,” Wallace said. “We only have two seniors this year so we are young. We are just playing hard and putting God first. We are trying to teach these younger guys the fundamentals. I like having quality time and investing in them.”

Wallace is a leader on the team and carries himself with maturity. His demeanor will be needed as the district gauntlet continues. Wesson is 2-1 in league play and are in great shape. They are a half game behind first place Loyd Star, 2-0, and tied with Franklin County, 2-1. 

“I’ve learned to put God first on the field and shine bright to lead them,” Wallace said. “I try to be positive and work hard, show the younger players the importance of practicing and putting in the effort.”

Speaking of younger players, West Lincoln has a squad full of them. Smith said her team is mostly made up of seventh, eighth and ninth graders. She has two seniors in the starting lineup Tyler Hall and Hayden Skates. 

Ryles Purdy, a seventh grade defender, made a huge impact on defense. His tenacity made life difficult for Wesson and he could be a force to be reckoned with as he grows. Goalkeeper Blaise Lilly is a freshman as well and had a solid match. 

West Lincoln is currently in last place in the district standings but as they improve they might be able to compete for a playoff spot. They will play Franklin County Monday at home. 

Wesson’s next soccer match will be on the road at Loyd Star next Monday at 7 p.m. It could be a crucial match for the district standings. Discipline will be one key for the Cobras. 

“Loyd Star are a great team. If we play with discipline we can likely win,” Wallace said. “We have to play as a team.”

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