Vicksburg High’s Beverley Simmons holds up a sign as she and other Missy Gators celebrate a 2-1 win over rival Warren Central. (Jenny SevcikThe Vicksburg Post)

[1/14/04]The cries of the wounded filled the air Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium, carrying over the breathless hush of the crowd and the screams of joy coming from the Vicksburg Missy Gators.

Diari Gilliam curved a perfect shot past Warren Central goalkeeper Julie Waddle 1:20 into the second overtime period, capping a brutal war of attrition and giving Vicksburg’s girls soccer team a 2-1 win.

The victory gaves VHS (12-4-1) the Division 6-5A championship, but Tuesday’s game will be remembered more for the people who weren’t around to see the thrilling finish.

Five players four from WC and one from VHS were sent to the hospital with various injuries. WC goalie Emily Coker (leg), sweeper Mallery Wells (knee), Julie Spence (ankle) and Kristine Fischenich (bruised lung) all visited the emergency room after the game, as did Vicksburg’s Holly Head (chest). Several other Vicksburg players left the game after being injured on hard fouls, but did return. None of the injuries was considered serious, although all of the injured players may miss some games.

“We knew it would be a physical game coming out, because it’s a huge rivalry and both teams wanted it badly,” WC coach Kristin Gough said. “I hate that it kind of got out of control at certain points because I know Vicksburg had a couple of injuries and I’ve got four in the emergency room right now.”

Another Vicksburg star, Brandi Parker, also left the game early, but it wasn’t because of injury.

With four minutes gone in the second half, Parker was called for a hard foul in the goal box a play on which Wells and Coker suffered their injuries. Parker, who leads the team with 39 goals this season, was red-carded and ejected.

The Missy Gators had taken a 1-0 lead on a goal by Crystal Davidson in the opening minute of the second half, but the injuries seemed to galvanize the Lady Vikes (8-9-1).

Liza Kate Chaney took a cross about 15 yards from the goal, slipped by keeper Megan Humphries when she came out to challenge, and put the ball in the net to tie the game at 1-1.

A little over a minute into the second overtime, Gilliam got a pass from Keri McGowan and and scored from about 15 yards out.