The Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars soccer team dropped two tough losses in Saturday’s ACCS shootout in Natchez.

BA lost to the ACCS Lady Rebels in the opening game 2-1 and fell 3-1 in the second game to the Natchez Cathedral Lady Green Wave.

ACCS 2, BA 1 

The Lady Rebels were able to hold on for the victory despite an inspired effort by the Lady Cougars, who were without several starters and played the whole game lacking substitutions and only 11 players.

ACCS took a 2-0 lead in the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick on an accidental hand ball inside the box.

The Lady Cougars closed the gap to 2-1 when Abby Oliver sent a long ball down the sideline to midfielder Lucie LeBlanc.

LeBlanc was able to find an opening in the opposing defense and get the ball to Julianna Mills who fired a shot off the corner post and into the back of the net. The Lady Cougars pressed hard the last 15 minutes of the game but were not able to get score another goal.

“This was a close game, we had some tough breaks, especially the accidental hand ball that was called in the box, it gave them an easy penalty kick and score,” said BA coach Mark LeBlanc. “We were missing four of our starters so we had to make some adjustments in our back line defense. Harley Smith was inserted in the middle of the back line along with Maggie Sanford, who made a big difference for us in our defensive effort. I was also proud of our two outside defenders Abby Oliver and Anna Narang – they stepped up and played well all day long.”

Cathedral 3, BA 1 

Coming off a tough morning loss Brookhaven Academy fell to the Lady Green Wave girls 3-1.

Natchez Cathedral came out pressing a tired Lady Cougar team and scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. BA rallied to score a goal late in the first half and close the gap to 2-1. In the second half Natchez Cathedral added an insurance goal on a penalty kick inside the box and secured the 3-1 win.

Shelby Flum, who plays the striker position for BA, scored their only goal of the game in the first half.

“I was proud of our girls for their effort today, said LeBlanc. “I could tell the they were having a hard time with the heat with no substitutions or water breaks, especially in the second game.”

“The goal Shelby made was outstanding. Lucie LeBlanc made a touch pass to Julianna Mills on the sideline who sent a perfectly placed cross to a wide open Shelby Flum.

“Flum was able to receive the ball with one touch, take her time and set up her right foot for a power shot into the corner of the net,” said LeBlanc. “”We had several girls give outstanding effort today. Madelyn Oglesby and Sophie Wilson, who handles all of our throw-ins from out of bounds, are truly a weapon because of how accurate and long they can throw it in. Marin Anding had her best game of the year and was involved in some long kicks down the field and a lot of contact with opposing players. McKinley Evans also played well at goalie. She has the toughest job on the field”.

Brookhaven Academy’s next game is Wednesday at the Hansel King Sports Complex against district opponent ACCS, starting at 4 p.m.