THE Oxley High School under-15 girls soccer team has pulled off a thrilling extra-time victory in its clash with Ballina's Xavier Catholic College.
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After scoring an early goal through Bridey O'Neil, the depleted Oxley side looked to have the upper hand until Xavier hit back in the second half.
From there, neither side could claim an advantage with the game eventually going to an extra-time penalty shootout.
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Oxley began the shootout in shaky fashion before eventually converting two of the last three shots to take home a 3-2 victory.
The victory sets up a semi-final playoff against Hunter Sports High School on Wednesday.
Oxley coach Darren Desmid said Tuesday's win was "massive" considering how many regular players were missing.
"We were missing Emma Allen, Nakesha Burgess and Milla Thompson due to international duties, but the girls who filled those roles really stood up," Desmid told the Leader.
"We only have 14 girls in the squad, so for these girls to stand up like that and pull of a crazy win was just fantastic."
Desmid said his side's "defensive efforts were fantastic".
"We had a few girls playing out of position, but they still fought it out really hard to take it to a shootout," he said.
"Acacia Duxbury played her best game of the season for us, kicked the winning penalty for us and really stood up when it counted.
"Honestly, it was a great win and to get a chance to play for a spot in the final four is a great achievement."
Oxley High School will take on Hunter Sports High School in the Bill Turner Trophy quarter-final from 10.30am on Wednesday.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
