White House freshman Morgan Potts picked an ideal time to use her head in Tuesday’s District 9-AA semifinal against visiting Macon County.
After losing their 4-1 lead late in the second half, the Lady Devils were forced into overtime. That’s when Potts delivered the game-winner on a header – something she had previously been hesitant to do.
“I’ve been giving her a hard time for a couple games because she used her shoulder and not her head (on shots),” White House coach Mike Felzien said. “She’s been promising to get that header. And sure enough, she comes through and gets the header on a game-winning goal.”
Morgan Potts had already delivered two goals in regulation. She made it a hat trick when Hannah Potts (no relation) delivered a well-struck corner kick, which she punched by the Macon County keeper with five minutes remaining in the second overtime period.
“Coach Felzien has been getting on to me because I haven’t been doing headers near the goal,” Morgan Potts said. “That header, I felt it coming. I just knew. It was the perfect time, and it was the best feeling ever.”
Macon County senior Keeley Carter, a Trevecca basketball signee, opened the scoring with a goal off a free kick in the fifth minute. Morgan Potts answered with her first tally in the 22nd minute. The score remained 1-1 at halftime.
In the 50th minute, senior Baylee Miller scored to make it 2-1 White House. Then Morgan Potts tacked on her second goal one minute later, and Hannah Potts made it 4-1 with another score in the 58th minute.
But Carter was far from done. She scored goals in the 70th, 74th and 76th minutes to knot the score 4-4. Carter’s final tally came on a penalty kick after teammate Jamie Ashburn was tackled in the White House box.
“It happens quick,” Felzien said. “These goals will come in clumps, so you have to buckle down either way. They went against us this time. We’re young, and that showed a little bit.”
Neither team scored again until Potts’ completed her second hat trick of the season with the go-ahead goal. Potts said White House’s offense has steadily improved since its 3-5 start in the first eight games.
“Our offense has gotten so much better this season,” she said. “Like it’s unbelievable to see how far we’ve come. The beginning of the season was hard. But now we’re at this point and winning in double overtime. It’s amazing.”
Potts is one of 14 freshmen that have the Lady Devils primed for more success in the next few years, according to Felzien.
“We’ve got a talented freshman (class),” he said. “They’ve grown throughout this year, and I can’t wait to see them in two or three years.”
Macon County (8-4-2) ended its season with the loss. White House (7-10-1) advanced to play rival White House Heritage in the District 9-AA championship game Thursday evening.
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