One shot win propels Texans

HEADED TO REGIONALS

Wimberley’s powerful girls’ high school soccer team defeated Salado 1-0 last Friday and advanced to the Region IV semi-final game against Pleasanston in McAllen this Friday at 12:00. Texans defeated the Eagles twice during the regular season (3-1 on penalty kicks at the Pleasanton tournament and 3-2 at Wimberley).

If they win that game, they will play Liberty Hill or Beeville for the region championship and a trip to the state tournament in Georgetown. No Wimberley girls’ soccer team has ever won their way to the “big game.” But, with a record of 20-8-1, Pleasanton presents a dangerous foe with a very powerful forward who can score from almost anywhere on the field.

After the tight tournament win over Salado last week, Co-captain Ryland Maples said, “Our defense knew we had to play smart to secure that shutout for Casey tonight.

That meant limiting their forwards from getting shots on goal. So we played a physical game, but we also didn’t give up any penalties near our own goal. That was the key for our strategy.”

At 14 minutes into the first half, Texan sophomore defender Sunny Jones scored the Texans’ lone goal. To set up the goal, she dribbled past one defender outside of the Salado 18 and passed to Holly Harwood. Harwood quickly passed back to Jones who took one touch then slotted the ball past the Salado keeper. Texans 1, Salado 0.

Then the Texan defense took over and made that single goal stand up for the win. The game remained physical through both halves with Salado trying to counter

Wimberley’s possession strategy by pressing hard against the Texan defense. Then the game took on a wide-open feel as both teams mounted scoring chances in the first half. But, Wimberley’s defense set the pattern for the game with tight marking. Texan keeper Casey Crawford met every challenge of pressure to the Texan 1-0 lead.

With their quick twotouch passing, Wimberley forced Salado to scramble for the ball, which allowed the Texans’ confidence to grow. Defensively, Ryland Maples and Jaida Bustamante frustrated Salado’s attack by repeatedly stealing the ball from the Eagle players before any attack could develop.

One of the scariest moments of the game occurred late in the second half when Wimberley goalie Crawford made a daring save off a Salado cross. She reached to catch the ball and collided with two Salado players, crashing all three to the ground.

But Crawford maintained possession of the ball as she crashed to the turf.

Slowly, time ticked away as the Texans began to celebrate their deep penetration into tournament competition and a chance to keep advancing toward region then state titles.

Coach Brad Biggers contributed to this story.