EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

With a strong wind blowing from the south, the Lady Redskins had an early wind advantage against Great Bend in the Western Athletic Conference opener, but they could only manage one goal in the first half, and the Lady Panthers scored twice in the second half to hand the Lady Redskins a 2-1 loss.

Liberal had breakaway chances but couldn’t get solid shots on goal while the Lady Redskin defense fought off Lady Panther attempts, and neither team could score early.

The Lady Redskins finally broke through late in the half when Lily Guy controlled the ball in front of the net after a Great Bend turnover and put the ball into the net for the 1-0 Liberal lead.

Great Bend had the wind advantage in the second half, and they managed to tie the score despite strong defensive efforts and several saves at the goal.

The Lady Panthers were able to squeeze one more shot into the Liberal goal later in the second half, and the Lady Redskins couldn’t answer in the 2-1 loss.

Liberal fell to 3-2 on the season while the Lady Panthers moved to 4-2 on the season.

The Lady Redskins will host 2-3 Hays today in a critical early season WAC match-up. The Lady Indians lost to Great Bend 2-1 but defeated Dodge City 2-1 for a 1-1 WAC record.