By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – Effingham County’s Rachel Reagan plays travel ball with two South Effingham soccer players. She’s also played with Effingham United, a team where a lot of locals get their introductions to competitive soccer.
But Reagan smiles and says there wasn’t any friendly rivalry smack talk going on during the Rebels’ 1-0 victory over the visiting Mustangs on Feb. 27.
“It’s a rivalry game and there’s a little friendly fire there, but no, no smack talk,” Reagan said. “Maybe after the game.”
Reagan’s goal with 10:14 left did all the talking.
The junior returned to the lineup after suffering an ankle sprain against Evans and made her presence felt at the most opportune time. Unmarked, she corralled a pass from teammate Brooks Burnsed and deposited the ball past goalie Connie Floyd to tilt the evenly played contest in ECHS’ favor.
“Rachel was playing defense at one time, but she’s better up top and she definitely showed us her skill tonight,” Rebels coach Kim Johnson said.
Reagan directed the success of the goal to Burnsed.
“It was a beautiful pass by Brooks,” Reagan said.
And Figueroa saved the night with a stop on Juliana Galoni’s breakaway in the 62nd minute.
ECHS had its chances to take the lead but couldn’t quite finish. Burnsed hit the post after a free kick from 25 yards out during the 19th minute. And Abbey Anderson couldn’t convert from 15 yards out after a run along the end line by Riley LaPollo in the second half.
“Even though we’re family with them and we’re in the same county and we support each other, it was nice to catch this win,” Johnson said.
A nice show of sportsmanship between the soccer families occurred during a break in the action about five minutes before the end of the first half. Rebels Marisol Miller, playing with a cast immobilizing her right wrist, needed help to tie her shoe.
South’s Emily Galan stepped in.
The two teams will meet again March 19 in Guyton.
