CHICKASHA - A second-half rally by Chickasha came up a goal shy Thursday night at Hampton Field and the girls lost their scrimmage with Real Madrid, a U19 club team from Oklahoma City, 2-1.

This was the first action for the Ladies since Steve Scott took over the program and, although they worked hard, they were a little out of synch. They kept most of the first-half action between the thirties but were mostly on their heels as Real pinned them in and hammered away.

Some unlucky shooting, a great defensive effort by the backs (Emily Holt, Kalynn Tuthill, Jamie Harvey and Kylie Williams) and some good goal keeping from Amy Witt kept the guests off the board but Chickasha just couldn’t get an offense going.

A late surge turned things around, though. Freshman Jordan Billington broke away up the left flank but her hard shot was just wide and Real was awarded a goal kick. Senior Kayla Brosius knocked down the low ball and had another try, but her shot was hauled in just as the first half ended.

The teams exchanged roles in the second half as Chickasha controlled play and Real tried to break out. Eight minutes in, though, they did, with a run up the Chicks’ left side and a perfect cross for the finish and a score.

With momentum back, Real started hitting again. Witt came up with two more solid saves before a breakaway got through the defense and beat her to the right post for an insurance goal.

That seemed to be the wake-up call. Chickasha turned the heat up, took over the match for the final fifteen minutes and almost pulled it out.

Williams, who had played in the back in the first half, was up top now and just missed scoring on a breakaway. She did score moments later with the help of a great through ball.

Freshman midfielder Kelsey Tuthill picked the ball off near the mid-line and pushed it right back up, finding William’s feet about thirty yards out and in full stride. Two quick touches blew her by her defender and Williams hit a bullet to the left post for a score.

Fired up, the Chicks kept some serious pressure on for the final fifteen minutes but just couldn’t finish. Real had to bunker in and withstand a furious rally but got out with a tough win.

“The girls are right where the boys were after their first match,” Scott said later about the slow start and the good finish. “They’re like mirror images of each other except the boys are four games ahead.”

The coach liked the way his girls responded after giving up two goals.

“When they picked up the intensity, you could see the whole match change. We had three of four good chances in the final fifteen minutes.”

Moving the speedy Williams out of the back seemed to be a key.

“I started her in the back but I knew at some time in the game I’d put Kylie up top and she’d probably get us a goal or two. She’s got the speed that can create opportunities for us.”