Washington School’s home soccer game on Wednesday against Pillow Academy was by no means a moral victory. The record books will show that the Mustangs beat the Generals 2-1 after a penalty shootout.
Yet, Washington head coach Jeffery Giachelli and his boys can certainly raise their heads high and take a lot of confidence from the match before they head into the MAIS state playoffs next week.
The Generals are scheduled to face Lamar in the first round of the playoffs Monday in Meridian.
“Pillow beat us 5-0 in the first game, but today it was an evenly matched game the whole game,” Coach Giachelli said. “We had our opportunities to score and finish it in regulation, and they had opportunities to score and finish it in regulation. It was good practice for the playoffs and this didn’t change anything even if we had won.”
On a gray afternoon played with a cold front passing through, perhaps no General played better than goalkeeper Daniel Signa. Signa made three saves out of five attempts in the shootout, forcing the shootout into sudden death.
“Daniel played great the entire game,” Coach Giachelli said. “Any goalie that saves three PKs in a shootout should win.”
Generals Noah Ashley and Peyton McPherson both kicked in goals in the shootout, and Patrick Spencer made one in the sudden death which went to a second frame.
In the opening stages of the second half, McPherson headed in a goal after a corner kick from Ashley.
“We have a good chance going forward, but we just have to play our game,” Coach Giachelli said.”If we play they way we did today we have a chance to advance to the second round.”
