It was a highly successful start to the 4A State Soccer Tournament for the Laramie Lady Plainsmen Thursday. They defeated Kelly Walsh 5-0 in their first match.

After a bit of a slow start, Laramie scored three times in the first half. They added a pair of goals in the first eight minutes of the second half.

Off a corner kick in the 16th minute, Courtney Hamilton found the back of the net for initial goal of the match. Paige Trent scored off a free kick in the 37th minute. She was followed in the 38th by Lexi Pulley’s goal.

Hamilton scored her second goal in the 42nd minute for a 4-0 advantage. Sekoya Romero got loose for a breakaway goal in the 48th minute for the final tally.

Laramie moves on to the semifinals Friday against a familiar foe in Cheyenne East. The defending champs knocked off West Region top seed Rock Springs, 6-1.

The Lady Plainsmen have won all three matches against the Thunderbirds this season by a combined score of 15-to-0.

The match will start at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The winner moves on to the 4A championship game Saturday against the winner of Gillette and Cheyenne Central.

The East Conference swept the West in the first round for a seventh straight year at state soccer.

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