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Greenbrier and Springfield battle to draw




Springfield’s Leslie Lujan-Luis uses a slide tackle to get the ball away from Greenbrier’s Briley Crane.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Leslie Lujan-Luis uses a slide tackle to get the ball away from Greenbrier’s Briley Crane.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier and Springfield both went into Tuesday’s game needing a victory to jump the other in the region standings, and neither team came away satisfied, drawing 2-2.

The game was back and forth the entire way, as neither team could hold possession for very long.

Greenbrier freshman Blair Pierce got the scoring going in the first half, but Springfield quickly responded. Freshman Olivia Merritt scored in the 26th minute to head into halftime tied 1-1.

Sophomore Rebecca Stafford got the lead back for the Lady Cats in the 49th minute, but again, the Lady Yellow Jackets answered with a goal of their own. Junior Tiffany Ortiz nailed her first goal of the season to finish off the scoring.

Springfield head coach AnnMarie Turpen thought this would be a tough battle, and she tried to express that to her team.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game going into it,” Turpen said. “We made sure our girls knew this wasn’t going to be an easy game. They play hard, and Greenbrier’s got some players.”

Springfield was without junior Esbeidy Garcia, the starting center back. Senior leader Leslie Lujan-Luis had to move back to fill her spot.

“We didn’t have (Garcia) or (Garcia’s) speed in the back,” Turpen said. “(Lujan-Luis) had to fill in for her, so (Lujan-Luis) is central to our team… When we can’t have her in the center of the field, up in the middle center-half of the field, it’s hard to get much movement on the ball.”

Greenbrier had four starters out, mostly due to COVID-19 contact tracing. Head coach Jonathan Sutton had to adjust on the fly with his team.

“A lot of girls were in a lot of different positions than they normally are,” Sutton said. “We were kind of into our bench as I like to say, but our girls played hard. I mean we had the opportunities. I thought our goals, we worked hard for.

“I feel like we had two kind of errors in the back, and you got to give it to Springfield. They finished. They did exactly what they were supposed to do. When mistakes are made, punish them. We got punished for it, but overall, the girls, I thought worked the ball really well.”

Greenbrier, among many other teams, has dealt with rescheduled games and was forced to play seven times in the last 12 days.

This was the last home game for the Lady Cats, so they celebrated their two seniors Aurora Dill and Leah Madrigal. Both have been with the team for multiple years and have been versatile for coach Sutton.

“They provide the stability,” Sutton said. “They are both quiet leaders. They’re not vocal leaders by any means, but they come to play every single day. They come to practice. They work hard. The way that they have gone all year about their business, as I like to say, has led the other girls.”

Greenbrier will face Harpeth, who is coming off its own quarantine, on Thursday. The Lady Yellow Jackets will host Portland for their final region game before the postseason.

Greenbrier’s Cadence Eden tries to outrun two Springfield defenders.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier’s Cadence Eden tries to outrun two Springfield defenders.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier’s Alyssa Harden attempts to get her shot past Springfield’s Fatima Acosta Batista.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier’s Alyssa Harden attempts to get her shot past Springfield’s Fatima Acosta Batista.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Micaiah Harrison picks up the ball and clears the danger.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Micaiah Harrison picks up the ball and clears the danger.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Olivia Merritt shoots the ball past Neely Duke and scores to tie the game.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Olivia Merritt shoots the ball past Neely Duke and scores to tie the game.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier’s Ava Pierce returns for her senior season with more experience.FILE/JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier’s Ava Pierce returns for her senior season with more experience.FILE/JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier head coach Jonathan Sutton honors seniors Aurora Dill and Leah Madrigal at halftime.JOEL CLINGER

Greenbrier head coach Jonathan Sutton honors seniors Aurora Dill and Leah Madrigal at halftime.JOEL CLINGER

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