Shady Spring girls soccer standout Mallie Lawson is a big fan of the movie Guardians of the Galaxy.
She never dreamed however, that the movie would help get her through one of the biggest moments of her athletic career.
Calmed by the sounds of Mr. Blue Sky, by Electric Light Orchestra beforehand in her head, Lawson blasted home a crucial tiebreaking penalty kick in the Class AA-A Region 3, Section 1 championship match Saturday against Bluefield.
Coming with the clash tied at 1-1, Lawson’s blast would be the eventual game winner in a 3-1 decision over the Beavers at H.B. Thomas Field in Shady Spring.
“I needed to distract myself, so I started singing that song. If you watched me, I was singing and dancing in the box before I took the shot. I was thinking I cannot miss this, and I didn’t,” Lawson said, smiling.”
Shady Spring had not won a girls sectional championship since 2011.
“This was a battle. The first half we did like we normally do and played defense. Our defense is really solid. We talked at halftime and it was like night and day. You could see them start passing the ball to their feet,” Shady Spring head coach Joey Beckett said. “I was really pleased with them today. They adjusted well and made some changes.”
The first half was a scoreless, physical battle with neither team gaining an advantage. That all changed in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
A bad clearing kick by the Tigers gave Bluefield an excellent scoring attempt. Jordan Jones capitalized for the visitors launching a shot high into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 45th minute.
Just over two minutes later, cross-country standout Charlotte McGinnis turned the tide by scoring the equalizer for the Tigers.
Although she was playing her first year of high school soccer for Shady Spring, McGinnis knew she had to make something happen for her team.
“I felt like we needed to start passing and talk more. When I got that pass, I just knew it was time to go. I honestly didn’t think it was going to go in because I kicked it so high in the air. But, when I saw it angle the right way, I just knew it was about to go in,” McGinnis said.
The importance of quickly evening the game was not lost on the Shady Spring coach.
“It was very important. I don’t think these girls would quit, but they would get discouraged. Once you get it back, then they are alright and we are playing even after that,” Beckett said.
To the Beavers chagrin McGinnis was far from done wreaking havoc in the middle up front.
Attacking from the keepers’ right side, McGinnis was knocked down in the box on another scoring attempt which resulted in a penalty kick for the Tigers.
The decision was an easy one for Beckett.
“Mallie is our most automatic on PK’s. We have been shooting them this week because we have gone to overtime with Bluefield so much. The last five years it has been us and them. It has always been close,” Beckett said.”
After a bit of a delay for explanations and a yellow card, Lawson stepped in for the crucial try which went in with ease.
“I pick a spot out before I shoot and hit it hard. Hard enough so the keeper can’t get it,” Lawson said.
Senior striker Izzy Workman made it a two-goal advantage when she rattled one home with just over eight minutes left in the contest.
“I got a really good pass, and I ran on with it. I cornered it in and managed to play it off one of their players. This win feels amazing and exciting. I have been working so hard to get here,” Workman said.
One of the big keys to Shady’s win was the rock-solid play of its backline who made crucial stops and made it nearly impossible for the Beavers to get clean looks.
“They did a really good job. We don’t like to play boom ball, so they play it out to our (midfielders), then we start working it up the field,” Beckett said.
In 2011, Shady Spring also won the regional title and advantaged to the state tournament. The Tigers are one win away from duplicating that feat. However, the next step will be a huge mountain to climb. Waiting in Tuesday’s regional clash will be two-time defending state champion Charleston Catholic.
“I know they are very good. I figure we will have a new battle plan because they are totally different than anybody we have played. They move the ball well and they shoot well,” Beckett said.
The Region 3 championship match will be played at Charleston Catholic, 30 minutes after boys championship which plays at 5 p.m.
