In a defensive battle, the top-ranked Laramie Lady Plainsmen stayed undefeated with a hard fought 1-0 victory over #5 Cheyenne Central Monday in Laramie.

Lady Plainsmen head coach Kim Whisenant admitted they didn’t know what exactly to expect from the Indians.

“The first half I think we started a little slow; not as assertive; not as aggressive; and I think we fell into how we play more in the second half; knocked the ball around a little bit more; get in their face a little bit more. It paid off pushing the numbers forward to get that goal.”

After a scoreless first half, the lone goal came in the 57th minute of play. Allison McElwee found Lexi Pulley, who was able to angle a shot past the Central keeper in the lower left-side. It was her sixth goal of the season.

Whisenant said, “She (Lexi) actually got her hips down and around it, and found that far post. It was perfect placement. I’m just so happy that it fell for her today.”

Both teams had other opportunities. A close call for Laramie came four minutes into the second half. Keeper Morgan Bury had to save a cross, but failed to control it. The rebound came straight out in front and right to an oncoming Central player. Bury dove to her right and somehow managed another quick save before a Laramie defender cleared the ball.

Bury said it was the best save she’s had all season.

“They had a striker right there, and I just tried to get my body in front of it and stop it from going in the goal… They were a good team. They pressed us a lot, and luckily, we came out with the win.”

Central snuck in a few more times behind the Lady Plainsmen defense, but Bury played her line and forced shots wide of the open net. At the same time LHS had their chances with shots just high, hitting the crossbar or going just wide.

Laramie improved to 6-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference. They conclude the first half of action in the 4A East with a match Thursday versus second-ranked Cheyenne East at the UW North 40 Soccer Field. It starts at 5 p.m.

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