The Chapel Hill girls soccer team, playing in the 3A classification this season, took on 5A Villa Rica Monday night and played them to a 3-3 tie after falling behind 2-1 at the half.

“I was fired up at halftime because I felt they were being more physical than us,” said CHHS coach Chris Watts. “The team responded in the second half and made up their minds they were not going to let Villa Rica win this game. They went to work and I am proud of how they played in the second half.”

After the Wildcats went up 1-0 in the first half, Chapel HIll tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty kick by Shayy Crawford. Villa Rica took a 2-1 lead on a PK late in the half.

The Lady Panthers opened the second half with a score when Elizabeth Odom found Crawford in the box. Less than a minute later, Villa Rica scored again to go up 3-2.

With 15 minutes to play, Alex Watts had the ball at her feet and sent a pass to Alyssia Lowers on the left side of the pitch. At the same time Crawford broke from the right side and attacked the right post. Lowers hit Crawford in the box and she completed the play by putting the ball in the left side of the night to complete a hat trick, and tie the game.

With 20 seconds remaining, the Wildcats had an opportunity with a corner kick but the ball sailed over the net.

Chapel Hill once again got strong play out of their keeper Taylor Sorrows. Villa Rica was faster than the Lady Panthers on the night and out shot then 2-1 on goal. Sorrows made several saves, including one late in the game when she dove, full out, to her right to grab the ball.

The Lady Panthers will be back in action on Friday when they play at McEachern starting at 7:30 p.m. The boys did not play on Monday. They will play today at home against Villa Rica. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.