Eagles fly away with Region 4-3A title
Girls Soccer • April 25, 2008
By Michael Orr

Photos by Morgen Orr Airport's Erin Gray dribbles away from Brookland- Cayce's Kimberly Baston.

Top- ranked Airport scored twice in the first half and opened the second half with a third to defeat Brookland- Cayce at Eagle Stadium on April 25. Casi Jones scored on one corner kick and had another headed in to lead the Lady Eagles to their 19th win of the season and the Region 4- 3A title.

Airport came out firing from the opening kick launching three quality shots in the game's first five minutes. Between the precision passing of Courtney Shumpert and Erin Gray, the Lady Eagles controlled the early minutes of the match. Junior Kelly Smith's shot from inside the box produced the game's first goal after less than six minutes.

Brookland- Cayce was able to secure sustained possession in the midfield against Airport, but the Lady Bearcats were unable to produce any substantial offensive opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. Sophomores Kimberly Baston and Katie Busbee kept the ball on the feet of Brookland- Cayce, but could not find the net.

Airpor t's Cour tney Shumper t keeps the ball away from a Brookland- Cayce's Kellie Bingham.

Jones sent in a corner for Airport that found the head of Heather Shumpert who directed the ball into the back of the net for a 2- 0 lead for the Lady Eagles. Down by two goals after only 15 minutes, the Lady Bearcats were in need of an offensive boost.

Busbee and Sara Johnson provided the firepower for Brookland- Cayce late in the half as the Lady Bearcats took five shots on goal and had three free kicks deep in Airport's half of the field. Yet, none of the shots would make their way past Airport's senior keeper Melanie Stone. Saving a well- placed header by BC's Johnson, Stone kept the Lady Eagles' lead in tact as the first half closed.

To open the second half, Jones bent a corner kick past the outstretched hands of B- C keeper Ali Greer to add spectacularly to the Airport lead. Now trailing by three on the road against the state's top ranked team, Brookland- Cayce changed philosophy as the second half progressed. Rather than working the ball through the midfield, the Lady Eagles sent players forward as often as possible to try to flood the Lady Eagle defense and create scoring opportunities.

When Baston finally scored for B- C, she was called for offside and the goal was disallowed. Undeterred, Brookland- Cayce continued to attack with Nellie Phillips and Cayla Fralick sending shots on goal throughout the latter part of the second half. With barely a minute to play, Fralick connected on a quick shot from just outside the box to bring the score to 3- 1 in favor of the Lady Eagles. But time ran out soon afterwards and Airport maintained its number one ranking.