Story, photos, and videos by Chet Piotrowski Jr.

Mattoon allowed a rare early goal but roared back scoring four unanswered goals in defeating Charleston, 4-1, on Tuesday afternoon.

Charleston sophomore Hadley Webb scored in the first minute of play off an assist by fellow sophomore Mia Hinds from an inbound pass to make it 1-0.

Mattoon senior Lily Ghere responded by running the ball down the left side and sailing a shot over Charleston goalkeeper Ally Logsdon into the upper right corner to tie the match at 1.

MHS’s Lily Ghere after the game.

The Greenwave, beginning to get their legs under them after a disappointing 1-2 showing at the Urbana Tournament on Friday and Saturday, scored nine minutes later.

Mattoon sophomore and Charleston senior Delaney Meister raced to the ball after a Greenwave outlet pass up the right side. Meister tried to clear the ball, but Masse took possession and raced down the field.

Mattoon’s Gabi Ray kicks the ball past Charleston goalkeeper Ally Logsdon Tuesday afternoon.

Logsdon came out to challenge the shot attempt, but Masse saw Ghere breaking down the middle of the field uncovered and laid the ball on the senior’s foot for an easy wide-open goal score, putting the Greenwave ahead, 2-1.

Ghere had a chance to notch her third goal of the game right before the half, but Logsdon swooped in and caught Ghere’s shot attempt from another Masse centering pass.

Charleston’s Morgan Smallhorn (left) clears the ball out of the box away from Mattoon’s Belle Shriver Tuesday afternoon.
Mattoon’s Sophie Gerkin and Charleston’s Malia Hodges make a play on the ball Tuesday afternoon.

Ghere would not be denied her hat trick, though. Ghere dribbled in traffic and buried a goal past Logsdon for her third 12 minutes into the second half, all but putting the Trojans away.

Mattoon continued to pressure the Charleston defense as Masse had two breakaway chances within three minutes. Logsdon blocked the initial shot, and Ghere missed the rebound attempt, punting the ball high.

Masse’s second breakaway was negated when Logsdon challenged the sophomore before she could get a shot off and the ball toiled out of bounds.

Ghere took a breakaway chance of her own just three minutes later, but was denied by Logsdon again.

CHS goalie Ally Logsdon

Mattoon senior Gabi Ray had another Greenwave breakaway chance after what was closely called onsides. Ray took the ball down the middle darting towards Logsdon. The Charleston goalkeeper came out to challenge the attempt, but Ray put the ball past Logsdon into the bottom right corner for Mattoon’s fourth and final goal.

Charleston, however, had one last run in them. The Trojan offense pressured Mattoon’s defense with a shot that sailed over the Mattoon goal. The Trojans came right back again. Hinds took a shot in front of Mattoon senior goalkeeper Jess Evans who had to outstretch her arms towards the right corner, but it was not to be, as she blocked the ball away and out of bounds denying the sophomore forward a goal.

Scoring

1st

Charleston Hadley Webb 1(Mia Hinds 1) 1:00

Mattoon Lily Ghere 1 (unassisted)12:00

Mattoon Ghere 2 (Bella Masse 1) 21:00

2nd

Mattoon Ghere 3 (unassisted) 7:00

Mattoon Gabi Ray 1 (unassisted) 23:00