Sallisaw celebrates Senior Night with wins over Tulsa McLain

It was a successful Senior Night on Friday evening at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium for the Sallisaw High School soccer teams as both squads defeated District 4A-4 foe Tulsa McLain.

The Lady Diamonds got things started with a 5-0 win over the Lady Titans, then the Black Diamonds wrapped up the night with a 7-3 victory.

In between matches, the soccer seniors were recognized — Lady Diamonds Makenna Bormann, Kyra Taylor, Promise Flute, Haley Birdtail, Laynie Gerred, Brooklyn Donaldson-Silos and Jocelyn Rivera, Black Diamond players Johan Salinas, Wyatt Allen, Josh Taylor and Brian Castor and trainers Makenzie Savage, Kasey Adame and Brandon Murphy.

In the girls’ match, the Lady Diamonds (5-3 overall, 1-1 in district play) got a goal apiece from Flute and Taylor for a 2-0 halftime lead.

The Lady Diamonds then got a hat trick of goals as Emilie Robbins, Rivera and Bella Morales each scored in the second half. Robbins’ goal was essentially an own goal by the Lady Titans (0-9, 0-3), but the Lady Diamond sophomore was credited with the goal as she was the one who kicked it on goal.

Each Lady Diamond goalkeeper had three saves each as Rivera had three saves in the first half, while Flute made three saves in the second half.

In the boys’ match, the Black Diamonds (8-0, 2-0) hit the Titans (3-6, 1-2) with a six-spot in the first half as Brecken Hennessee scored twice, while Wes Rodriguez, Castor, Sama Salinas and Allen each scored once in the opening half.

Thanks to two late first-half goals by Tulsa McLain, the Black Diamonds’ lead was cut to 6-2 at halftime.

In the second half, each team scored once, with Rodriguez scoring for Sallisaw.

Taylor made 12 saves on the night, six in each half. After playing at Stilwell on Tuesday evening, the Lady Diamonds and Black Diamonds will travel to face Poteau on Thursday evening at Costner Stadium. The Lady Diamonds’ match will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ contest at 7:30 p.m.

Then, the Sallisaw teams will play their home finales against Hilldale on Tuesday at Perry F. Lattimore Stadium, with the girls’ match at 5 p.m. and the boys’ contest at 7 p.m.