Lady Buffs fall to Noble in district game matchup

Apr. 5—The Lady Buffs fought to the last second.

McAlester hosted Noble on Friday at Hook Eales Stadium, where the Lady Buffs fell to the Lady Bears 5-1.

"We have got to learn how to play together," coach Rashaud Buie said after the game.

"There's too much incohesion out there and we just got to figure it out and play as a team," he said.

McAlester had a slow start at the beginning of the first half. Noble didn't wait to strike first. Goalie Cady Gilbreath responded by blocking the shot. Gilbreath came out of the box to block another shot, but Noble was able to get around her and send it to the back of the net, giving Noble the early first point of the game within two minutes of the start.

Jaycie Williams finds a path to dribble the ball down and shoot, but Noble would block the shot. McAlester took a corner kick, which Noble blocked. Both teams continued going back and forth fighting for possession of the ball. Gilbreath continued to block more shots from Noble, including a big kick out of the box to give McAlester the ball down the field.

Jaidyn Bledsoe passed to Kelsie Harden to shoot a goal, but Harden's shot was blocked by Noble's goalie. Lyliana Perez took a shot at a goal, but was blocked by Noble.

With 22 minutes left in the half, McAlester took an opportunity from a throw-in to get the ball to Makayla Misener, who successfully sent the ball into the back of the net. This gave McAlester their first point of the game — tying the game 1-1.

Misener found Harden to shoot another goal, but the shot was blocked by Noble. Bledsoe, Harden, Vanessa Carranza, and Natalia Reyes continued looking for passes and shots. Noble continued finding opportunities to shoot, but McAlester continued to block. Harden even headed a shot out from getting into the goal.

Right before halftime, Noble took a shot which Gilbreath was able to get a hand on, but it still ended up in the goal, giving the Lady Bears the 2-1 lead going into the half.

McAlester continued to struggle, stopping Noble's momentum of getting down the field and looking for shots. Harden attempted a shot, but was blocked. Gilbreath continued to work blocking shots, but Noble managed to get a shot past her — making the score 3-1 with 33 minutes left of the game. It was a continuous battle back and forth on the field. Misener took a shot, but was also blocked by Noble.

Rihanna Kelly, Addison Relayson, and Cameryn Brown continued trying to defend against Noble, but the Lady Bears managed to score their fourth goal of the game — leading over the Lady Buffs 4-1 with 15 minutes left in the game. Noble sealed the win with another goal against McAlester, taking the 5-1 win.

"We've got to bounce back Monday," Buie said.

Up next for McAlester, the Lady Buffs host MacArthur at Hook Eales Stadium Monday at 4:30 p.m.