The Permian girls soccer team once again took the bragging rights in the Crosstown Rivalry as the Lady Panthers defeated Odessa High in a penalty shootout Friday night at Ratliff Stadium.
Beginning the second half of District 2-6A play, the Lady Panthers (7-6-3 overall, 2-2-2-1-1 in district) won the shootout by a score of 6-5 after regulation ended in a 1-1 draw.
“It’s what we deserved even though I think we deserved to win it in regulation,” Permian head coach Chad Peterson said. “We took our foot off the pedal at the wrong time. We played well but then, for some reason, we started panicking last third and we’re much more talented than we are in the last third but this sets the ship in the right direction. There’s still fight in this team. We’re going to be a tough team down the stretch.”
The Lady Panthers won the last meeting against Odessa High in a 1-0 victory in regulation back on Feb. 2.
Permian goalkeeper Madison Morga ended up making the game-winning save in the shootout.
“This is something that we practice on as a team and it’s something that’s hard to practice on,” Morga said. “It’s a 50-50. You have to take your chances and God blessed me with the right save.”
It was the first penalty shootout win for the Lady Panthers this season.
Permian came up short in their previous penalty shootout which was against Midland High last Friday.
“It feels like a redemption from the last time we went to a shootout,” Morga said. “This feels like we’re coming back and taking steps to digging our way out.”
Odessa High fell to 6-9-4, 0-5-1-0-1 for the season.
“I was proud of the way the girls played,” Odessa High head coach Cecilia Kellar said. “We knew it was going to be a battle and coming back and putting the ball in the back of the net brought us back in the game. We were able to create some opportunities through regulation.”
The Lady Panthers dominated possession in the first half as they created numerous chances but couldn’t find the back of the net.
That is, until Haylee Lancaster’s goal came with 11:56 left before halftime to give Permian a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Panthers led 1-0 at the half.
However, the Lady Bronchos weren’t finished as they got the answer in the form of a Mia Callazo goal with 38 minutes to go in the second half to tie things up.
A Permian corner was to no avail for the Lady Panthers as they were unable to score with 27 minutes left and the game remained tied.
Another Permian attempt came from a long shot by Kylie Stark.
However, her shot was saved by Odessa High goalkeeper Alexia Hernandez with. 21 minutes to go.
Another Permian attempt was canceled after another save by Hernandez shortly after.
Lancaster had a shot go wide left of the net with 12:18 left in regulation.
Lancaster had another opportunity that went right into the arms of Hernandez as the Odessa High goalkeeper kept the Lady Bronchos alive before the end of regulation.
Permian will next face Midland Legacy at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ratliff Stadium.
Odessa High will face San Angelo Central at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in San Angelo.
