Lady Arrows soccer team advances to meet Tupelo

By Danny C. Davis

The Clinton High School Lady Arrow soccer team defeated Lewisburg at home 3-1 on February 10 in the opening round of the Class 7A North girls playoffs. With the win, CHS will travel to Tupelo on Februrary 13 to meet the Lady Wave at 5:30 p.m. in the North Class 7A girls quarterfinals.

With the win, CHS improved to 14-5-1 on the season.

It is a good start in the playoffs for the Lady Arrows, who fell to Oxford a year ago the opening round of the North Class 7A playoffs.

Clinton last won a girls state title in 2023 defeating Gulfport, and played for the state championship again in 2024, when they lost to Northwest Rankin.

The Tupeo Lady Wave won Region 1-7A. Clinton and Tupelo met once during the regular season and played to a 1-1 tie.

In the first half, Lewisburg scored early to take a 1-0 lead with about 10 minutes left in the first half. Clinton tied it with 4 minutes left in the half with a goal by sophomore Joelle Ambrose. The goal was set up by junior Ellyn Burchfield, who sent a long free kick to freshman Emily Fortenberry, who redirected the ball to Ambrose, who made the shot.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, the Lady Arrows took the lead for good.  Senior Kayla Jones dribbled the ball 50 yards down the field before making the shot.

Freshman JaMilah Williams scored on a long range shot from 25 yards out from an assist by junior Elise Thomas to make it 3-1 with only 5 minutes left.

“I am very pleased with the way the girls battled tonight,” said Lady Arrow head coach Elliot Rimmer. “We went down a goal, which is very tough in the playoffs, but we never stopped competing tonight, and it paid off.”