Wampus Cat soccer team beats Cabot

By Zach Hayes
UCA sportswriting

The Conway Wampus Cats traveled to Cabot on Thursday and got a dramatic 7A-Central victory over the Panthers, 5-3.

The Panthers struck first in the 23rd minute to take a 1-0 lead, but the Wampus Cats responded with a penalty kick, due to a hand ball in the box, in the 30th minute by Sam Codemo to tie the score, 1-1.

In the 47th minute, Cabot was awarded a PK, which they successfully completed to one-up the Wampus Cats 2-1. In the 73rd minute, Garrett Todd, off an assist from Logan Hampton, scored to even things, 2-2. The game ended with a tie and immediately went to PKs to decide the outcome.

That’s where things got interesting.

Each team is awarded five kicks, the winner being the team that makes the most out of the five. The Panthers netted their first kick and Conway followed with a miss.

Conway goal keeper Cody Brooks impressively blocked two of the Panthers' next shots, and a third sailed high. Conway would go on to hit three of its next four with shots by Garrett Todd, Denis Kalinin and Stuart Ripely to ice the game.

Wampus Cat coach Robert Irons praised Brooks for his tremendous effort.

“Usually if your keeper can make one of the PK saves, it puts you in a really good position," he said. "For Cody to make two out of the five was huge.”

Irons said he couldn't be happier with his team overall in recent play.

“As a team this our third or fourth game we’ve taken up individual pieces and really started playing together as team, and as a coach I commend them for that," he said. "The seniors on the team, especially Sam Codemo and Stuart Ripley, have really stepped up. (Codemo) has really improved, and his leadership has grown steadily.”

Conway improved its conference record to 4-4 and is riding a three-game win streak. Overall, the Wampus Cats are 5-8 for the year.