Canes edge Ringgold on Duarte's penalty kick

February 12, 2026

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes edged out the visiting Ringgold Tigers 1-0 in a hard-fought boys soccer matchup on Thursday night, securing a gritty shutout victory on their home pitch.

The game remained scoreless through a tense first half, with both defenses holding firm and neither side creating clear-cut chances. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, when the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the penalty area.

Junior Fily Duarte stepped up to take the spot kick, but his initial attempt was denied by the Ringgold goalkeeper. Undeterred, Duarte pounced on the rebound, calmly pushing the deflected ball into the back of the net to give Cartersville the 1-0 lead.

The Tigers pushed forward in search of an equalizer, generating pressure as the clock ticked down. Ringgold's best opportunity came on a dangerous breakaway in the 70th minute, but Hurricanes goalkeeper Cash Priest made a crucial save to preserve the clean sheet and deny the visitors.

Cartersville's back line stood tall the rest of the way, frustrating Ringgold's attacks and protecting the narrow advantage until the final whistle.

The win improves the Purple Hurricanes to 2-1 on the young season, Ringgold drops to 1-1.

CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 7, RINGGOLD 1

Mallory Nicklas (5) finished with two goals and three assists against Ringgold on Feb. 12. Photo by JP Morrow

Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com

Mallory Nicklas and Mary Beth Hackney each scored twice, with Lexi Fennelly, Scout Hullander, and Allie Evans also finding the goal as the Lady Canes got their first win of the year, 7-1, over Ringgold in Weinman Stadium on Thursday night, Feb. 12.

Nicklas also had three assists on the evening. Hackney added two assists, and Elizabeth Villela delivered one. 

Hackney opened the scoring in the 7th minute, set up by a cross from Nicklas. Fennelly added another seven minutes later for the 2-0 score. Ringgold then took advantage of a free kick near midfield at 30’ to set up a run that drew the difference to 2-1.

CHS would score three times in the final ten minutes of the half, though. It began at 32’ with Nicklas curving a straight-on shot over the keeper from 30 yards out for the 3-1 lead. Evans added another minutes later, before Nicklas struck again with a 20-yarder from the left, outside of the box and into the opposite corner, bringing the halftime lead to 5-1. 

The Lady Canes kept the pressure after the break, scoring twice in the first four minutes with goals by Hullander and Hackney. 

“It was an exciting night,” said head coach MaryBeth Popham. “We started a little slow, but momentum shifted, and they started playing up to their level. They worked together, communication improved, and scored goals.”

The team is beginning without two key leaders and scorers from last season. Kylie McMichael left the team to pursue an opportunity for flag football at Emmanuel University. Annabelle “AB” Williams experienced a torn ACL during club play in the fall, then reinjured it during school and needed further surgery. She will be assisting from the sidelines this season.

“They’re all still learning how to mesh together, trusting each other, but I can see that happening,” said Popham. 

CHS moves its record to 1-2 after losses to Cherokee and Calhoun. They return to action on Feb. 17 at Heritage.