The Lady Plainsmen Turn It On For The Title

Behind two goals from sophomore Courtney Hamilton, the Laramie Lady Plainsmen won their first state championship in six years with a 4-2 victory over Gillette.

After it was tied at halftime, the goals came fast and furious early in the second half. The teams combined for three goals in a five minute span. The last proved to be the go-ahead, game-winning goal for Laramie. They added another in the 75th minute.

Lady Plainsmen head coach Kim Whisenant said to win this year was important.

“It was just such a great weekend for us. The kids fought so hard. For myself, personally, it was monkey off my back. I always tell them buy-in, believe, and it’s going to all work out, I promise. We came out on top this year, we’re state champs!”

Hamilton put LHS ahead on a penalty kick in the 25th minute. The Camels tied it in the 34th. It was 1-1 at halftime.

Gillette took their only lead with a goal in the 47th. Then, LHS responded when Hamilton booted a free kick in from 30 yards out in the 49th minute that tied it at 2-2.

“I think at that point it turned the tide for us. The momentum was on our side, and we found another two after that,” said Whisenant.

The Lady Plainsmen went ahead for good on a penalty kick by junior Paige Trent in the 51st minute.

Whisenant admitted she wanted someone other than Hamilton to take the second PK.

“Paige has been so good during training. So, I let her take it, and sure enough, she put it in the back of the net.”

Sekoya Romero scored on a breakaway that iced it with five minutes left.

“We knew right then and there we solidified the win. It was just so incredible. The kids were so excited. Yeah, it was just icing on the cake for us,” added Whisenant.

It’s the fourth state title in school history, but the first since 2010.

Whisenant said it was an amazing season, and this is such a great group of kids.

“They get along on and off the field. I tell them, always, we high five and we hug, let’s mean it, and they really do mean it… This is a true family here.”

Laramie finishes the 2016 season with a record of 15-3-1. They lose only one player off this year’s roster.

The Gem City is once again “Title Town,” as the Plainsmen completed the sweep of the 4A Boys’ crown later in the day, Saturday.