The Shelbyville Central Golden Eaglettes huddle up for a prayer following the injury to Loralai Geary in the first half of Thursday night’s district match against Lincoln County. (Post Photos by Chris Siers)
Kelly Ramirez (12) celebrates after scoring her first goal on Thursday. She netted a first-half hat trick to lead the Eaglettes. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
SHELBYVILLE — A thrilling 3-2 District 9-3A win over a physical Lincoln County team was marred by a scary incident on the field on Thursday night at Shelbyville Central.
In the 19th minute of the match, freshman Loralai Geary took a hard check just outside the Shelbyville box and fell to the turf with a significant injury.
Following a near-30 minute delay in the match, Geary left the field via EMT assistance and was transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
“She (Geary) got hip-checked. I’m really worried about her. We’re praying for her,” Eaglette coach Casey Curry said.
Following Geary’s injury, Shelbyville Central seemingly got an injection of adrenaline and capitalized on a weakness in the Lincoln County back line.
In a span of just four minutes, senior Kelly Ramirez found the back of the net three times to give the Eaglettes a sizable lead, capped by the eventual game-winner in the 32nd minute.
“We’ve been working on that, but I think that injury of her getting carried off just put something in them to fight,” Curry said.
Ramirez broke the stalemate in the 28th minute on a breakaway goal down the right flank that caught the left goal post and careened to the back of the net.
She padded the Eaglette lead just two minuets later on a nifty cross in the box with a left-footed goal, past Lincoln County’s goal keeper for the 2-0 Shelbyville advantage.
Ramirez completed her hat trick just two minutes later, again showcasing her versatility and athleticism with a sliding shot that again found its way past the Lady Falcon goal keeper to give the Eaglettes a 3-0 lead.
But the match’s physical tone continued and Lincoln County found the back of the net in the 36th minute to avoid the shutout.
Still, Shelbyville held a 3-1 lead at the half.
Lincoln County continued to press its attack against the Shelbyville defense and eventually found a second score against the Eaglettes in the 44th minute.
Although the Lady Falcons still found multiple shots on goal, it was the efforts of Eaglette goal keeper Diana Arias who made key saves in the closing minutes to seal the Eaglette win, with the biggest save of the night coming in the final minute.
“She (Arias) had an amazing game. She does what she does and shuts it down,” Curry said.
On a Lincoln County corner kick, a defensive stand by the Eaglette back line drew a foul that allowed Shelbyville to set up a free kick and clear the ball to run out the clock.
Even with the 3-0 Eaglette lead, the win came down to Shelbyville finding ways to come up with key defensive stops at key points in the closing minutes.
The ability to find those answers in the final minutes will be huge for the Eaglettes as Curry hopes Thursday’s win springboards Shelbyville through the remainder of the schedule.
“This was probably our hardest game we’re going to play. I’m just glad the girls are clicking and getting that connection and figuring it out,” she said.
“We just need to keep working on finishing in that final third—but not tonight. Kelly had three goals and played amazing. We just need to keep working and building on that.”
Following Thursday’s win, the Eaglettes get a break until September 3 due to the Walking Horse Celebration Horse Show break.
Following the week off, Shelbyville will be back at home against Nolensville for a non-district match.
First Half
SC — Kelly Ramirez goal, (28th minute).
SC — Ramirez goal, (30th minute).
SC — Ramirez goal, (32nd minute).
LC — goal, (36th minute).
Second Half
LC — goal, (44th minute).
