Girls soccer keep rolling up the wins

Last week, Wimberley’s girls soccer team hosted Salado on Friday, January 25 and won 4-0 with one goal in the first half and three in the second. The rough play of the Eagles didn’t faze the Texan girls who easily handled that rough play while upping their season record to 14-1-1.

Then, on January 29, the Texan girls got a rare Tuesday break in the schedule without a game before returning to home turf against Pleasanton this Friday, February 1.

Backed up by an aggressive wall of defense, junior goalkeeper Casey Crawford has allowed only six goals in thirteen games this season. “She’s fearless and courageous!” Coach Nute praises her. “She comes off her line quickly. Against Liberty Hill, one of the top teams in Texas, she had eleven saves, some on direct shots where she needed to dive then crash to the ground while still controlling the ball. She was instrumental in our 0-0 tie that later led to our shootout win.”

Another key to that defensive power is the play of center defender Jada Bustamonte. Nute calls Bustamonte a stoic who reads the play perfectly then uses strength and speed to control play. “When a team tries to send long balls over the top, Jada sweeps up and takes us out of danger.”

The Texans open district play on February 12 against Fredericksburg on the Battling Billies’ home field. “Playing Fredericksburg is always tough, no matter where we play,” Nute says. “But our girls are technically ready no matter whose field we play on.”

During a group interview with Texan captains Avery Biggers, Anna Olmeda and Ryland Maples, the girls spelled out strong goals for the team and how they expect to reach those goals. “We’ve had two successful years with Coach Nute. This year, we seem to possess an inner belief that we can compete with the best in the state. Our play so far this season has given us the belief that we can compete with any 4A team in Texas…and some higher.”

“For us, the captains, it’s our last year, so we want to set a model of high standards, a belief in self and in each other. This team is very close but we’re also individuals involved with many kinds of activities in school and out. We’re not arrogant, just quietly confident.”