NATCHEZ &045; It almost happened again.

For the second consecutive year, the Natchez and Cathedral girls’ teams could have gone into overtime.

All the Lady Green Wave had to do was finish one of the two great chances they had in the closing minutes of the second half and the game would be tied 1-1 to end regulation.

With just less than six minutes to go, Cathedral’s Jamie Greer headed a bullet of a shot directly at Natchez goalkeeper Tracy Davis. Davis reacted instantly, throwing her hands up to catch the ball and prevent a goal.

&uot;I knew from how she was coming up she was going to head it,&uot; Davis said. &uot;I just threw my hands up. It shocked me.&uot;

Minutes later, a Natchez defender was called for a handball on the edge of the penalty box. She was ruled to have been in the penalty area and thus Cathedral was awarded a penalty kick with just seconds remaining in the game.

Greer stepped up to take the kick and slammed it over the crossbar, ending the Lady Green Wave’s shot at tying the game.

&uot;We had some opportunities. I thought we had tied it up,&uot; Cathedral head coach David Gaud said. &uot;Their goalkeeper played well. I just wasn’t meant to be tonight.&uot;

The only score in the game came in the 34th minute, when Natchez forward Jessica Evans lofted a shot over Cathedral goalkeeper Abby Brown from 25 yards out that slipped just under the crossbar.

&uot;I thought it would go over, but then it just fell right in,&uot; Evans said. &uot;It was the best goal ever.&uot;

Evans has been improving steadily as the season progresses and has become one of Natchez’ best players on offense.

Natchez midfielder Sarah Weaver had another strong game, marshaling the Lady Bulldog offense and tracking back on defense frequently. Weaver’s play in the middle was crucial to several attacking ventures by Natchez.

Cathedral’s Kate Ellard had a strong game, leading both teams in shots taken and forcing several saves from Davis. Ellard also had a chance to tie the game late when she broke through the Natchez defense with two minutes remaining but had the ball knocked away by converging Natchez defenders.

Despite not scoring, Natchez actually played a better half after the break, controlling the flow of play more and dominating possession for much of the second half.

&uot;I’ve noticed in the first half they take a while to warm up. I don’t know how else to put it,&uot; Natchez head coach Lena Yarbrough said. &uot;They played better in the second half. I think they just get more comfortable once they learn what the other team is trying to do.&uot;

Cathedral had more shots in the game and more shots on goal, but Davis’ play in goal was stellar and Evans’ score was the difference. She converted her chance, but the Lady Green Wave couldn’t knock home any of its opportunities.