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SEHS girls hold off ECHS in penalty kicks
Valencia Collins
South Effingham soccer goalkeeper Valencia Collins stops a key penalty kick during a shootout against host Effingham County on Friday night. The Lady Mustangs prevailed 0-0, 4-3 in penalty kicks. (Mark Lastinger for the Effingham Herald.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald


SPRINGFIELD – Valencia Collins put her faith in God and a friendly goal post Friday night.

South Effingham’s senior soccer goalkeeper was in the right place at the right time to stop two penalty kicks during a shootout and saw two kicks during overtime clang off the post for a 0-0 (4-3 in penalty kicks) victory over Effingham County at Rebel Field.

“It’s nerve-wracking but my teammates encouraged me on,” said Collins, who stopped the Rebels’ first and fourth PK attempts.

Katelyn Bittle
Mustang Katelyn Bittle celebrates her game-winning shot in South Effingham's 0-0, 4-3 shootout soccer victory over host Effingham County March 14. (Mark Lastinger for the Effingham Herald.)
Katelyn Bittle registered the game-winning kick for the Mustangs, who have won five of their last six games and trail only highly regarded Glynn Academy in the Class 5A, Region 1 South standings.

It’s been a nice ride for head coach Kate Blaske, whose squad has rebounded after getting shut out in a scrimmage and two straight games to start the regular season.

“We’ve come along,” Blaske said. “We played amazing against Glynn (a 1-0 loss). I think we had to figure out our positions and get everyone where they needed to be to be successful.”

South entered Friday’s game with 22 goals in its last five games, but ECHS, without injured Brooks Burnsed, weathered several Mustang scoring opportunities in the first half before getting the better chances in the second half and overtime.

The Rebels (2-7) outshot South 12-7 after the first 40 minutes (5-1 in overtime and 16-14 for the game). Striker Ella McLaurin’s shot in the penalty area in the final minute of first overtime grazed the outside of the post.

McLaurin maneuvered into scoring position in the box again in the second overtime, but hit the same post with about five minutes left.

“The Lord helped me out on that one,” Collins said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without him.”

After 100 minutes – two 40-minute halves and two 10-minute overtime sessions – the two teams were as evenly matched as a 0-0 scoreboard suggested.

Collins and ECHS freshman goalie Riley Bracken both had nine saves heading into overtime.

South had a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.

Last season, both teams won a game in the home-and-home series. Friday’s game is the only SEHS-ECHS head-to-head regular-season matchup because the schools play in different subregions.

“We were flat and I don’t think we played up to our standard but that happens. Effingham County had a lot to do with it, but we found a way,” Blaske said.

Collins stood tall in goal for the Mustangs and battered down two of the five shots in the shootout to save the night.

“Really, our approach with our goalie is the same (going into a shootout or starting the game),” Blaske said. “You assure her that she knows what she’s doing and hope she has the confidence to do it. … Valencia always comes through in the pinch when we need her, it seems.”