SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Summer Stout's goal gave the Spanish Fort girls an early home-field lead which they held for 75 minutes until Sophie Simantel evened things at 1-1 for Gulf Shores with 1:37 left in regulation.

Both golden-goal overtimes did not resolve the stalemate and the 5A Region match went to a shootout which SFHS won 3-1.

The 2-1 victory improved the Lady Toros to 16-4-1 and 6-0 in region play with St. Paul’s, Citronelle and Faith still on the schedule. The Lady Dolphins' 5-2 region record puts them in second place in the alignment and have Faith and St. Paul's at home.

Mariah King, Jessica Watts and Elissa VandeWaa made their shootout penalty kicks for Spanish Fort while Simantel was the only Lady Dolphin to score in the phase.

Spanish Fort coach Barclay Kercher said the overtimes and shootout were no surprise.

“We did not want to go into shootouts with Gulf Shores although we knew it could happen and so we prepared in practice as if we would and it paid off. As usual, when these two teams play, it was a great and hard-fought game by both teams.

“Staying disciplined and playing smart throughout the game is what we try to do. And they challenged us all the way and never let up. Had a scare with JoHannah Scott in goal, but she was OK and able to come back. Alicia Linder filled in for those three minutes and had a save I think.”

Between Stout’s goal three minutes in and Simantel's to tie, a barrage of quality shots kept both goal keepers on and off their toes. Both Meagan Davis of Gulf Shores and Scott, who was injured in the first half, made fearless diving saves in the midst of relentless frontline attacks.

Gulf Shores coach Jason Thompson said he was proud of his team’s effort on many levels.

“Would it be hard fought? Very aggressive, defensively by both sides? Yes,” he said. “We already knew that and what we were coming into. We knew how aggressive they are and what great passers they are. But, so proud of my kids. They played great organization tonight, the best I've seen and we need to keep that going. To get that late equalizer shows the heart they have and they played their hearts out. And we’ve had some heath issues, too, we’re bouncing back from. But they still go out there and give all in spite of those issues. I'm just so proud of how hard they worked and how hard they keep working. Of course, Spanish Fort’s in the driver’s seat. We’re in second with Faith and St. Paul’s left. But playing this well against Spanish Fort is a good measuring tool and a good motivator I think.”

SFHS host St. Paul’s Thursday and travels to Citronelle April 12. GSHS will host Faith Thursday and St. Paul’s April 12. All games are set for 5:30 p.m.