Both the boys’ and girls’ Wildcat soccer teams lost their season-opening matches against state powerhouse Glynn Academy in non-region matches.

The Glynn boys beat RHHS 5-1.

"Glynn was very strong in their attack," RHHS boys coach Robbie Flanders said. "They scored 4 in the first half because we made very critical fundamental mistakes."

At half, RHHS made adjustments in the formation and scored 47 seconds into the second half. Shortly afterward, the ‘Cats had two or three opportunities to score but couldn’t put them away.

On Thursday, the Wildcat boys defeated Calvary 7-1. Jay Sipe led the scoring with three goals while Sam Vernon, Josh Miller, Melvin Neeley and Juwan Gaul scored one goal each. Sipe led in assists as well.

The ladies’ game with Glynn County pitted two teams that both made it to the Class AAA and Class AAAA state quarterfinal round last season, so it was a close battle the whole way. When it was all said and done, the Lady Wildcats lost 2-1.

RHHS dominated the first half 17 shots to 4, but couldn’t finish, which seems to be typical this early in the season. It was 0- 0 going at halftime.

In the second half, the Lady ‘Cats came out slow and Glynn scored early. Richmond Hill fought back as Lindsey Vasher scored from 25 yards out with 19 minutes left. Suddenly, a tying goal seemed within reach. With 19 seconds left, Vasher crushed one from the 18 yard line that hit the outside half of the goal post and bounced away. Four inches to the right and it would’ve been a goal.

"We had a script that was designed to measure our young players against one of the strongest teams in South Georgia right out of the gate," Lady Wildcat Coach Steve Kollman said. "Every girl played hard. By the time mid-season rolls around, we should be ready to make the push to get ready for the State Playoffs."

Both RHHS teams won in a Feb. 19 scrimmage versus Windsor Forest. The boys won 2-1 while the girls won 15-0.

Next up is the annual Wildcat Shootout, which begins Monday and continues through Wednesday. This year, it features only girls teams from the Coastal Empire.

The complete Shootout schedule is as follows: