By Moses Leos III
Effective passing and heightened communication helped the Hays Lady Rebels surpass the Akins Lady Eagles 6-1 last Wednesday at Burger Stadium.
“Our communication was key,” Hays senior forward Kayla Humphries said. “Once we started talking, and playing through-balls and playing faster to people’s feet, it got better as the game went on.”
However, Hays followed by falling to the Bowie Lady Bulldogs 2-1 Friday at Shelton Stadium. Hays dropped to 2-1-1 in district play.
Hays’ domination of Akins was kick started by a goal within the first six minutes of the match. Lady Rebel senior Mariah Gaitan slipped a shot past Akins’ goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Rebels continued to amplify the pressure on Akins. Hays rattled off several shot opportunities, mostly from long range.
Guiding Hays’ offensive pressure was effective passing in the midfield. Gaitan said the team’s overall speed advantage was one factor for success.
Humpries said the team’s ability to maneuver through-balls to their forwards helped spur chances.
Avoiding turnovers due to impatience was a critical key for head coach Brent Holcomb.
“We were able to hold the ball and be patient, and play through-balls much better,” he said. “Tonight was really good. Our midfielders were patient.”
But Hays struggled to capitalize on its chances. Offside calls negated a pair of scoring chances midway through the first half.
Hays took advantage late in the first half. Lady Rebel Isa Hernandez floated a 30-yard shot to give Hays a 2-0 lead with five minutes left before halftime.
From there, the Lady Rebel onslaught began.
Hays pushed forward, outscoring Akins 3-1 in the first 18-plus minutes of the second half.
It was highlighted by a goal in the 25th minute from Humphries, who redirected a long-range shot from Kat Salmeron into the net.
Holcomb credited the work of the outside midfielders to help push the tempo forward.
Driving to the inside of the pitch also played a huge factor.
“The interplay between the players became much more snappy in the second half,” Holcomb said. “Everyone settled in and relaxed.”
As the midpoint of the district schedule nears, Humphries said the win over Akins provided a confidence boost heading into the meat of district play.
“Everyone is thinking we are the underdogs,” Humphries said. “That’s the key to proving people wrong. We are the smallest team out here, but I think we’re holding ourselves up.”
Hays hosts Austin High on Feb. 6 at Shelton Stadium.
