Starr’s Mill hosted yet another set of huge games with region implications last Friday when they faced Whitewater’s boys and girls.

The Panthers won the boys game in a shootout. Starr’s Mill scored the first goal of the game when Jessy Phelps crossed the ball to his brother, Gray. The Wildcats responded in the second half as Ryan Pugh scored off an assist from Brian Ferrero. After two scoreless overtimes, the two teams went to shootout and Starr’s Mill won 4-3. Scorers in the shootout for Whitewater were Kyle Adams, Chris Gilmore and Pugh. Scorers in the shootout for Starr’s Mill were Gray Phelps, Jerry O’Hara, Matt O’Connor and Daniel Hojaij.

“Our goalkeeper Pat Bugara came up big for us tonight,” said Starr’s Mill coach Mike Hanie after the game, also heaping praise on the sophomore, Hojaij, for hitting such a big shot.

Starr’s Mill’s girls took a 1-0 lead over the Lady Wildcats as Katrina Frost found the back of the net late in the first half, but Brittany Vining would tie the game off an assist from Katie Schwartz 13 minutes in to the second half. The score remained the same for the remainder of the half, forcing overtime. A minute in to the first overtime period, Vining took a direct kick outside the 18 yard line and the Starr’s Mill goalkeeper bobbled it into the net giving Whitewater a 2-1 edge and eventually the win.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match tonight both physically and mentally,” said Whitewater coach Heather Allen. “They really stepped up tonight.” Allen praised the efforts of goalkeeper Lisa Wilson, who made 11 saves on the night.

Starr’s Mill’s boys will play at St. Pius on Friday, while the Lady Panthers play at Houston County tonight. The Whitewater boys and girls hosted Brookwood last night and will play at McIntosh at 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday. The boys are scheduled to play first.

McIntosh took on Greenbrier on Saturday. The Lady Chiefs won 3-0 with goals coming from Olivia Tucker, Meghan O’Rourke and Kaelyn Horton. Coach Marcia Clark also praised the play of Kelsey Quinn, Tawny Moffatt and goalkeeper Rachel Barnette. The boys won 1-0, defeating the Wolfpack 4-3 in shootout.

Fayette County faced Heritage on Friday. The boys won 3-1, while the girls lost 2-1. Fayette County played at Creekside last night and will play at Northgate on Friday.

In the most recent rankings, McIntosh’s boys (8-0-2) are ranked first, while Starr’s Mill (5-1-3) is third and Whitewater (2-2) is sixth. On the girls side, Whitewater (4-0-1) is third, Starr’s Mill (5-2-1) is tied with Marist for fourth and McIntosh (5-4) is sixth.

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