Clinton Lady Arrows soccer falls 2-1 in playoffs at Oxford

Carly Howell

Elise Thompson

Emily Fortenberry

Kayla Jones

The Clinton Lady Arrow soccer team fell in the second round of the Class 7A MHSAA North playoffs at Oxford on February 8.

Clinton finished 14-5-1.

The Lady Arrows were hoping to make it to the Class 7A girls state championship game for the third year in a row.

Clinton won the Class 7A title in 2023 and played for the state championship a year ago, when they finished as the runner-up with a 14-5-1.

“It was a tough night for us in Oxford,” said Lady Arrow head coach Elliot Rimmer. “We gave up a goal about two minutes into the game and then didn’t convert the chances we created to get back into the game.”

Things got tougher for CHS when the Lady Chargers scored another goal late in the first half to go up 2-0.

Clinton scored a late goal to cut the lead to 2-1.

“I am proud of the girls and the way they battled to the very end and scoring that late goal, but we just ran out of time to score another goal to tie the game up and get the game into overtime.”

The Clinton girls had to play just about the entire season without their two senior captains, who both had season-ending injuries early on.

“It was a tough season dealing with losing our senior starters, Isabella Jones and Kate Crisler,” said Rimmer.

“We had a lot of young players step up in the gaps left from injuries, and they performed well beyond expectations.”

“The great news is that we will return ten starters for next season, and many of those starters gained invaluable playing experience this year.”

“I am so proud of our senior class graduates that had such a phenomenal resume.”

The senior girls compiled a record of 69-25-14, 281 goals and only allowed 74 goals during their playing careers.

Not only did they capture a state championship in 2023, but won Class 7A North state titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“They will be deeply missed, and their contributions will be appreciated long after they have graduated,” said Rimmer.