Yant, Helms carry Sikeston past Marion, Ill. in overtime

Sikeston sophomore Kayla Graham (14) celebrates after Torrie Helms scores the winning goal in overtime against Marion, Ill., on Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Brent Shipman photo)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- With four starters out of commission, Sikeston was in need of some new playmakers against the visiting Marion, Ill. Lady Wildcats on Thursday.

Enter freshman Mackenzie Yant, who came into the contest with just one goal in her high school career.

Yant scored with only five seconds left in regulation to force overtime where teammate Torrie Helms sealed a 2-1 come-from-behind win.

"I told the girls I'm just really proud of their effort today," Sikeston head coach Gabe Dement said. "Yesterday we had a drop in effort and today we really picked it up and played hard. Top to bottom every girl who was out there played their role and did a good job with it."

The Lady Bulldogs' late heroics capped a strong finish to a game where the odds looked to be heavy in the Lady Wildcats' favor.

Marion boasted an 11-3 record that included a four-game winning streak while Sikeston, who came into the game 7-9, was fighting through the loss of four starters to injuries and illness.

This includes their second leading scorer, sophomore Larysa McClellon, as well as junior captain Claudea Kuykendall.

Yet with a thin bench and a strong wind blowing in Marion's favor the entire first half, the Lady Bulldogs entered halftime trailing by just a goal at 1-0.

Sikeston junior Torrie Helms works her way around a Marion, Ill., defender Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Helms scored the game-winning goal six minutes into overtime for the 2-1 win. (Brent Shipman photo)

Even with the wind in the second half Sikeston didn't see many opportunities as Marion hogged time of possession. The Lady Bulldogs caught a break when a free, unguarded kick from Marion sailed high over the crossbar with five minutes to play, keeping Sikeston within striking distance.

Just when it looked like time was going to run out, Yant, who doesn't typically start, got a high, wind assisted kick from Grace Hamra that she took near the top of the box.

Yant's shot took a couple bounces, but found its way into the left side of the net with five seconds left in regulation.

"It's funny because yesterday she had a break away with about the same amount of time left on the clock. She shot a little bit early and the keeper saved it," Dement said. "Today she has the same opportunity in the same situation against a really solid keeper and buries it."

Even though they were once again fighting into the wind to start the first overtime, it took the Lady Bulldogs only six minutes to snap the Lady Wildcats' win streak.

Helms, a junior, hit a shot centerfield from about 30 feet out that sailed high with a strong arc. It found it's way just out of the reach of the keeper high inside the top-right corner of the net to send the Lady Bulldogs into a celebration.

"I just crossed her and seen she was out," Helms said of the game-winner. "I just hit it and it went in."

Sikeston freshman Mackenzie Yant controls a ball near a Marion, Ill., defender Thursday at the Sikeston Sports Complex. (Brent Shipman photo)

Added Dement, "It was just a broken play. Torrie beat a couple girls and I told her before overtime get one on your laces, put it on frame and we'll have a chance to score. Sure enough she did."

The win leaves Sikeston just a game below .500 at 8-9 while the Lady Wildcats fall to 11-4.

It was Helms 22nd goal of the season as she continues her brilliant junior campaign. She leads the Lady Bulldogs not only in goals, but also in assists (9) and points (53).

Yant's game-saving goal gives her two on the year to go with an assist and five points.

Next up, Sikeston will hit the road to play Poplar Bluff Monday at 5 p.m.