Lady Panther soccer team showing potential

by From the Bullard ISD Athletics Department

The Bullard ISD Lady Panthers soccer team recently played in the Palestine soccer tournament.

The Lady Panthers played the Palestine Ladycats, a game which resulted in a 2-2 tie. The first half started with an “own goal” at the 28-minute mark from Palestine.

The ball was a served corner kick by Tatum Rigsby of Bullard and a knew volley by Carley Pawlak toward the goal which ricocheted off a Palestine defender. Palestine returned at the 18-minute mark with an unassisted goal after the Ladycat player muscled through two defenders and scored.

Palestine then scored their final goal by an unassisted volley shot.

Bullard came out and improved in the second half to score and tie the game at the 15-minute mark by Jaylen Wildt passing the ball to Tatum Rigsby, once again serving a ball into the box from the right side with freshman Karleigh Hagen putting it in the net.

“Although there are things we need to work on, I am pleased with the girls’ season opener,” head coach Tiffany Cooksey stated. “They have shown to have outstanding efforts as a young team. I am greatly appreciative to be able to coach such a great group of young ladies.”

On Sunday, Jan. 5, the ladies played Quinlan and Shadow Creek to finish pool play at the Palestine tournament.

Bullard won the first game of the season against Quinlan, 3-2, with goals by Rigsby and two by Wildt, one of which was assisted by Pawlak.

The team lost to Shadow Creek, 1-0. Both teams had five shots on goal and Bullard’s keeper Milley Bryan had four saves in the game.

A second game was played against Quinlan as a courtesy match and Bullard came up short in a shootout after tying 2-2. Both goals were scored by Jaden Jeter, assisted by Pawlak in regulation play.

During the shootout, two of Bullard’s shooters made goals, senior Jacelynn Cowart and sophomore Jeter. After five shooters, Bullard remained tied until sudden death in the second round and Bullard missed, then Quinlan made their shot.

“It has been a good and challenging weekend for us as a young team,” Cooksey commented. “I’ve been able to see many great things from our girls and look forward to the growth that will take place with these young ladies.”