BROOKLET — The Southeast Bulloch girls completed a season sweep a rival Screven County, notching a 2-1 victory Friday evening at Fred Shaver Field.
    Last month, the Lady Yellow Jackets (8-1) cruised to an easy 3-0 win over the Lady Gamecocks (8-5) in Sylvania. Things were a bit tougher the second time around, but a 22-yard strike from Merekate Schlierf with 23:18 to play proved to be the difference for SEB.
    The Yellow Jacket defense kept their defensive zone out of danger for most of the second half as Kaitlyn Wyatt stood tall in goal to ensure the win.
    “This was definitely a little tougher test than the first time we played Screven,” SEB coach Kristin Barnhill said. “As much as we want to win these games, we know that Screven wants it just as much. They really showed a lot of fight and made things hard.”
    The Gamecocks opened up the game winning multiple contested balls and holding possession. But just as in the first game, Screven couldn’t finish off its possessions.
    The SEB defense tightened around its 18-yard box and scoring opportunities were scarce for Screven despite the penetration downfield.
    “They just weren’t able to finish,” Barnhill said. “We did a good job on defense of staying in front of them. We’ve been working hard on possession and as the game went on, we were able to take the ball away and keep them from getting their offense going.”
    Stacey Elliot broke free for a one-on-one opportunity against Gamecock goalkeeper Whitney Gay with 15 minutes to go in the first half, but fired high of the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
    SEB finally forged ahead at the 6:22 mark of the half.
    Morgan Friend beat two defenders down the left side and delivered a cross to Elliot just 10 yards out. A Screven defender blocked Elliot’s first attempt, but she stayed with it, re-gathered possession, and fired past Gay for the lead.
    Just as SEB let up a bit to celebrate, Screven’s offense finally broke through.
    The Gamecocks pressed deep into Jacket territory and earned a free kick. The ball sailed into a crowd in front of the net and bounced around several times before finding the foot of Kaylie Lambert, who beat Brittany Bailey to retie the score at 1-1.
    “That’s the fight I was talking about,” Barnhill said. “Screven didn’t give up once they got behind. That really took the wind out of our sails going into halftime.”
    The action stayed mostly in the middle of the field to begin the second half before Schlierf uncorked a rocket from out of the blue to regain the SEB lead.
    The Jackets had pressured the Screven 18-yard box, but the Gamecocks retreated to cut off the passing lanes. A lobbed pass in front of the goal was cleared by Screven, but Schlierf tracked down the loose ball, gathered herself, and sent a laser into the right side of the net.
    For the last 20 minutes, SEB was content to stay in a defensive shell.
    Screven County’s Charlie Tatum got a great look at an open net with just under five minutes to play, but her shot bounced wide left and the Gamecocks didn’t record another shot on goal.
    The Jackets continue non-region play — and face another rival — April 10 as SEB travels to Statesboro High to make up a game that was rained out earlier this week.

    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9404.