SHS girls advance in playoffs

January 23, 2013

Starkville High School's Caroline Berryhill scored the third and fourth goals for the Lady Jackets as they rolled to a victory in the first round of the playoffs. (Photo by Jason Edwards, SDN)

Caroline Berryhill left quite the impression as the Starkville Lady Yellowjackets celebrated senior night with a first round playoff battle against the Lady Chargers of Oxford.

The SHS senior scored two goals, including the final score of the night, to push the Lady Jackets to a 4-0 victory.

After the game Berryhill expressed what it means to be nearing the close of her senior year.

“We played them last year and lost in the second round,” Berryhill said. “Coming here and beating them 4-0 is great. We played great as a team and it felt awesome.

“It’s awesome knowing this is my last year, but I still get to go on with my career playing soccer at Jones (Community College).”

Scoring began when Lady Jacket freshman Cailee Helen McClain sent the ball just over the goalie’s reach finding the net at the 23-minute mark.

Hannah Laird followed suit at the 29-minute mark. From the left side 18 yards out, the sophomore curved the ball into the goal to give Starkville a 2-0 lead.

Laird’s goal marked the end of first half scoring as SHS headed to the break with a two-goal lead.

Play was back and forth for most of the second half until Berryhill scored from the top of the box at the 59-minute mark to extend the Lady Jackets’ lead to three.

Berryhill was not done.

At the 71-minute mark, the senior found the back of the net from roughly the same spot as her previous goal to secure Lady Jackets victory.

“It’s a good feeling, especially after the way we played last Friday night, which was extremely disappointing,” SHS girls coach Anna Albritton said. “We made some adjustments in the lineup following last Friday night’s loss to New Hope and obviously it paid off for us. I just switched some people around, (and) put them in a position that might be better suited to their abilities.

“Following last week, we talked about commitment, (and) about who wants it bad enough. They came out, (and) it wasn’t the prettiest game by any means, but they played with a lot of heart and I think they wanted it. They wanted it a lot (Tuesday night).”

As the team came off the playing field, things were not over for the Lady Jackets. Concluding the evening were senior night festivities where Berryhill and fellow seniors Madison Buntin, Chandler Buntin and Haley Jenkins were recognized.

With the win, Starkville moves forward in the class 5A division playoffs and faces Center Hill on Saturday.