Girls get 14th win of season

The Wimberley Texan girls’ soccer team defeated Pleasanton 3-2 last Friday in non-district game that upped their record to 14-1-1. But, the upcoming games may present more daunting challenges for Coach Brinton Lute’s talented team. Just before district play begins, the Texan girls travel to Taylor for a non-conference game on February 8. Then, district play begins on February 12 at always-tough Fredrericksburg, one of the possible favorites along with Boerne to win the district.

In the Pleasanton game, the Eagles scored first at 14 minutes into the first half. But, just minutes later, Anna Olmedo intercepted an errant Pleasanton pass and dribbled inside the 18 then beat the keeper with her shot to tie the game at 1-1. The first half of the grueling, physical game ended tied with both teams experiencing cramps and leg bruises.

The pace of the game did not let up in the second half. While surrounded by Pleasanton defenders, Avery Biggers finished a cross from Anna Olmedo just inside the 1 for the Texans’ second goal, upped the score to 2-1. At six minutes left in the second half, Jerzi Deathridge blasted a thirty yard drive that soared over the Pleasanton keeper to up the score to 3-1 Texans.

With less than five minutes to play, Pleasanton’s middle striker dribbled in and scored off a low drive for the Eagle’s second goal. To protect the 3-2 lead, the Texans shifted to a defensive mode of clearing the ball out of their zone and tight marking. Both teams scrambled as the seconds ticked away until the game ended in a hard-earned victory for the Texans. With the win in perhaps their toughest game this season, the Wimberley’s girls upped their amazing season record to 14-1-1.

After the game, Texan coach Brinton Nute commented, “It was a hardfought victory, but it’s just another game. We knew Pleasanton would be tough. We’d tied them twice and beat them on penalty kicks but we’d never beaten them on the offense field. To get not just one goal but three goals in one half of a game was encouraging but I said to the girls after the game, “Now we have to get ready for the district games.”

Asked which players have improved greatly, Coach Nute immediately talked about Jada Bustemante. “She was again magnificent as the center back defender,” he said. “She’s improved her pace tremendously. Her pace and her strength in the back are huge for us this year. Also, August McDermit, our center midfielder, has been good for us as well.”