Women's Soccer | 12/14/2025 7:41:00 PM

CLINTON -- The Clinton High School Women's Soccer team added another dramatic chapter to its long-running rivalry with the Madison Central Lady Jaguars on Thursday night at Arrow Field.

Junior goalkeeper Ellyn Burchfield delivered a memorable performance, saving two penalty kicks and converting the game-winning kick from the penalty spot, helping the Lady Arrows edge Madison Central, 7-6, in nine rounds of penalty kicks during a Region 2-7A match. The match ended tied, 1-1, following regulation and two overtime periods, requiring the deciding penalty kicks.

With the victory, Clinton improved to 2-1 in Region 2-7A play and 6-2-1 overall.

The game continued a fiercely competitive series between Clinton and Madison Central. Since the 2019-20 season, the two teams have split the last 16 meetings with nine games requiring overtime and seven decided by penalty kicks. The Lady Arrows have now claimed six wins in the last nine contests.

Clinton struck first when Taylor Robinson redirected an Elise Thomas corner kick in the 42nd minute, giving the Lady Arrows a 1-0 advantage early in the second half.

The Lady Jaguars responded in the 64th minute, leveling the match with a strike from outside the 18-yard box. Clinton and Madison Central could not find a breakthrough over the final minutes of regulation or during two scoreless overtime periods, sending the game to penalty kicks.

Clinton converted consistently throughout the shootout with Kayla Jones, Alex Holmes, Ruby Acy, Joelle Ambrose, Cate Thompson, and Thomas each burying their attempts through eight rounds.

With the shootout tied at 6-6, Burchfield stepped up and converted the Lady Arrows' ninth penalty before turning away Madison Central's final attempt to seal the victory, igniting celebrations at Arrow Field.

UP NEXT

The Lady Arrows return to MHSAA Region 2-7A action on Tuesday, traveling to Starkville for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff against the Starkville Lady Jackets at Yellowjacket Stadium.