By Moses Leos III.
After a shaky start, the Lehman Lady Lobo soccer team rebounded to finish 2-2 at the 2014 Rebel Cup, ending the weekend in sixth place.
While advancing to the 5th/6th place match, learning and progressing was imperative.
Thursday provided a rough start to the tournament, as Lehman fell 7-0 to 5A opponent Pflugerville Hendrickson.
Things got off to an ominous start, as the Lady Lobos conceded two goals in the first three minutes. Lehman head coach Nauri Garcia noted his team’s lethargic start – a nonissue for Hendrickson.
“[Hendrickson is] a ready team when they step on field,” Garcia said. “For us in key positions, it takes us a little while.”
Garcia said the team struggled the entire game to get into the scoring third. One issue he said lay with the Lady Hawks beating the Lady Lobos on contested balls. It was apparent in the second half, as Lehman couldn’t generate any forward movement.
“[Hendrickson] shut us down in the second half,” he said. “We had no attack. We had one breakaway, but they shut it down quickly.”
Despite the issues, the Lobos were able to fix some communication issues they had during their 5-0 loss to Cibolo Steele two weeks ago.
However, with injuries to key players, he looked to his leaders – seniors Mariah Tamayo, Max Soto and junior Pressley Bailey – to step up.
They got it during their second game, a 2-0 win over Manor.
However, Garcia said the team was troubled with finishing on their end of the field.
“We needed to make some changes on our offense,” he said. “We’re happy with our defense, they’re improving. We changed the lineup and moved players around. We got a good result.”
Garcia continued to experiment with his lineup against Beeville on Friday; it proved successful in a 9-0 romp.
Lehman’s scoring salvo started early and often, with Soto blasting a long range shot at the 30:58 mark, giving Lehman a 1-0 lead.
Fifty-eight seconds later, sophomore forward Pamela Lasprilla netted the first of her three goals on the day. Fielding a pass in front of the goal, Lasprilla recovered, and maneuvered to shoot the ball in from point blank range.
From there, the Lobos tallied seven more goals, with Soto, Lasprilla, Bailey, Tamayo contributing.
For Lasprilla, improved connectivity with teammates on the field helped.
“We just connected more and we are finding each other easier,” she said. “When we look around, we see each other more. We’re communicating and (learning) how to synchronize.”
Garcia attributed success to several tactical changes made on the pitch, which included wider play of their wings. He also lauded the play of his captains, along with Lasprilla, who he said worked well on the field.
It helped make the game a little easier for the team.
“It was more simple. Balls were easier for them to move,” Garcia said. “We got better crosses. We’re happy with results today.”
Attaining a hat trick was memorable for Lasprilla.
“It feels good [to get a hat trick],” she said. “[We] put in work trying to find a goal. It’s good when we can communicate.”
Saturday saw Lehman draw Hays in the fifth/sixth place contest. However, both Garcia and Hays Lady Rebel head coach Brent Holcomb decided to combine forces, creating a “Lays vs. Hehman” matchup.
With both teams facing off on Jan. 31, both coaches saw no need to go full force during the Lady Rebel Cup. Instead, the coaches said both teams had a moment of levity and fun.
Garcia felt the Rebel Cup was a positive for the team. Having completed several objective set, it surpassed the tough start against Hendrickson.
“We feel very confident with our system,” Garcia said. “We are a bit banged up right now but the rest on Friday before Cedar Creek will help.”
