BROOKLET, Ga, March 19, 2024 — The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets suffered region loss to the Islands High School Sharks at Fred Shaver Field. The Lady Yellow Jackets were defeated 2-0, and the Yellow Jackets were defeated 5-1.
THE LADY YELLOW JACKETS COULDN’T CONVERT
The Lady Yellow Jackets just couldn’t seem to get started. The Sharks used their strong midfield and defense to overpower the Jackets, especially in the first half.
They took about four shots on goal. Hali Long had the first breakaway shot , but she couldn’t convert her shot. Sarah Fowler had a shot on goal from a goal kick. Emma King had her first shot on goal as well. Mya Jakiela took the final shot on goal for the Lady Yellow Jackets in the first half of the match.
After the half the Lady Yellow Jackets came into the match a lot more aggressive. Emma Cate Barron had a big shot on goal for the Jackets, which ended up being the only one for the second half.
The Lady Yellow Jackets are usually a fundamentally sound team, but seemed to struggle with throw-ins giving four turnovers to the Sharks.
With less than a minute left in the match, a controversial penalty was given in favor of the Sharks and the Jackets couldn’t fully defend it which gave the Sharks their second and final goal of the match.
Head coach, Aimee Cavalier was not fully satisfied with the officiating, but knew that her team could’ve played a little more aggressively to keep the game competitive.
“We had really good scoring opportunities, and we just didn’t make the most of it,” Civalier said. “We got a little unlucky defensively, but we got to make better shots.”
With this loss the Lady Yellow Jackets are now 5-6 overall and 3-2 in the region which has the, sitting at second place in the region rankings.
THE YELLOW JACKETS WERE OUT-HUSTLED
The Yellow Jackets were defeated 5-1 in a shutout at home. In the first half of the match, the Jackets and the Sharks were equally matched.
Woelinam Gato took the first shot on goal for the Jackets early in the match. The Sharks were trying to adjust to that Jacket defense and were getting called for multiple off-sides calls in the half which were in favor of the Jackets.
Michael Sheaham had a huge shot on goal after a nice set up pass from Hudson Bosley to Woelinam Gato to Michael Sheaham.
Elikem Gato decided to take action and try his luck with his own shot on goal, but it barely missed going slightly over the top of the goal.
The Jackets did a great job of winning the 50/50 balls being one of the first two touches on the ball.
Hudson Bosley got the first penalty for the Jackets in the first half allowing the Sharks a penalty kick, but a stellar defense performance by senior goalkeeper, Paeton Puzder won the Jackets a defensive stop and a goal kick.
The Sharks score their first goal with nine and a half minutes left in the first half of the match, and the Jackets finish out the half down 1-0.
When they start the second half, freshman goalkeeper is in the goal and along with the Jacket defense seems to struggle which allows the Sharks to score two goals within the first five minutes of the second half.
The Jackets struggled to keep the Sharks at bay, but played till the last whistle. Head coach Antonio Mireles was proud of his team playing till the end and knows that the score didn’t reflect it, but his team played their best under the circumstances.
“In my opinion, they played a really solid game,” Mireles said. “We came out with a good understanding of our game plan and it was just unlucky that we let one slide past us.”
With this loss, the Yellow Jackets are now 3-6-2 overall and 2-4 in the region which has them sitting in fourth place in the region rankings.
Up Next
The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets will be back in action on Friday, March 22, as the boys varsity travels to Savannah to take on the Benedictine Cadets at 7 PM. Both varsity squads will be back in action on March 26, as they travel to Islands High School.
