Eaglettes narrowly fall to defending state champs

Central striker Kayla Anderson engages in a physical struggle with a Lady Stars defender on a drive in the second half. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

MURFREESBORO -- Shelbyville Central shook off the effects of a forced two-week hiatus due to recent storms to give Siegel, the defending state AAA champions, all they could want on their home turf Tuesday before falling 1-0.

Senior goalie Shelby Lamb was outstanding in the net for the Golden Eaglettes (6-4-1) as she totaled seven saves in the first half. Her teammates came within inches of entering the break with the lead as a shot by Kayla Anderson sailed just wide in the closing minutes.

"We have a lot of respect for this team," Shelbyville coach Neal Gordon said. "This is a quality program and there is a reason that they are the defending state champs.

Senior Shelby Lamb totaled 11 saves for Shelbyville against Siegel on Tuesday night. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"They held possession on us most of the half but we felt like that we had the best chance at holding the lead at halftime. They had more shots than we did but the shot we had there at the end was the best hit ball of the game at that point."

Defense continued to be the name of the game in the second half.

Lady Star Kirby Towry snuck in front of a defender on a nicely crossed ball and nudged the ball into the top left corner of the net for Siegel's score.

"The girls played hard and I thought that we gave a decent showing considering that we haven't faced live competition in two weeks," Gordon said. "They just made one more play than we did tonight."

Shelbyville resumes District 8-AAA play on Thursday at Lawrenceburg. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.