A strong start wasn’t enough to hold off a scrappy Black Hills team Thursday night, as W.F. West fell in a penalty shootout to the Wolves, 4-3.
The Bearcats scored all three of their goals in the opening 15 minutes, with Cameron Sheets scoring unassisted in the 10th, Maddy Casper putting one through the back of the net off a rebounded corner in the 14th, and Emily Mallonee scoring later that same minute to give them a 3-0 lead.
It wouldn’t last, however, after some calls didn’t go the Bearcats way. In the 18th minute, the Wolves were awarded a penalty kick, and made the shot to bring the deficit down to two. After a scoreless rest of the half, the Wolves were awarded a second penalty kick in the 64th minute, and made another to bring the W.F. West lead down to one.
Black Hills scored the equalizer in the 71st minute, and after no score in extra time, the game headed into a penalty shootout.
After Casper made W.F. West’s first shot, and the Bearcats keeper saved Black Hills’ first attempt, the Wolves made their next four, and the Bearcats made just two to fall 4-3.
“They played a lot of balls over the top,” W.F. West coach Allen Anderson said. “On that turf, and in the rain and wind, it’s easier for little mistakes to happen. But I’m proud of the girls for how they worked and fought.”
The loss is big for the league standings. The Wolves win means they’re now tied with the Bearcats for second in league, with more games left to play.
The Bearcats were slated to play Shelton this week in a makeup contest, but Shelton canceled that game to play against the Wolves instead. If both teams win out, Black Hills will earn the No. 2 seed and host for district playoffs, while the Bearcats head out on the road as the third seed.
W.F. West closes out the regular season at Aberdeen on Tuesday. Black Hills travels to Shelton for a 4 p.m. match Saturday.
