By Moses Leos III.
For nearly 80 minutes, the Lehman Lady Lobo soccer team controlled possession against the Giddings Lady Buffaloes Friday at Lobo Field.
That advantage couldn’t rectify struggles in the scoring third – an issue which cost the Lobos in a 3-2 loss to Giddings. Lehman falls to 6-5 in district with Lockhart visiting Lobo Field at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 18.
Already trailing 1-0 within the first few minutes, Lehman pressed forward for the remainder of the first half. They worked to bypass a stout Giddings midfield.
“It was tough. But just like every team, you can find their weak spots, work around it and get past them,” junior Pressley Bailey said.
Lady Lobo junior Pressley Bailey slides to keep a ball in play during Friday’s match against Giddings. Despite a possession advantage, Lehman fell to the Lady Buffaloes 3-2. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Lehman battled into the scoring third, creating opportunities. However, the Lady Lobos couldn’t capitalize once inside Giddings’ zone.
Head coach Nauri Garcia said the team’s reluctance to take chances hinders its scoring capability. The “fear of making a mistake,” is something he’s seen during the season.
Hesitating to shoot the ball is the biggest issue, according to Bailey.
“We were waiting to take that perfect shot,” she said. “We can’t do that. As soon as we get that opportunity, we have to take it.”
The Lady Lobos had several chances to equalize, but entered halftime trailing 1-0
Their deficit grew to 2-0, when Giddings forward McKenna Namken burst through on a counter-attack, scoring at the 31:47 minute mark of the second half.
Lehman fought back, finding confidence in their offense. After several near misses, midfielder Lexi Sanchez followed a rebound and found the back of the net, pulling Lehman within one goal with 25 minutes left in the game.
Sanchez said that following shots, along with continuing forward momentum, were crucial.
“We were all pressing forward; we all wanted (to win),” Sanchez said. “We told ourselves it was not over and we gave it everything we had.”
Pressing forward worked against the Lady Lobos once again. Amid a transition during a Giddings counter, Namken reared back and blasted a 25-yard goal, putting Lehman behind 3-1.
The Lady Lobos wouldn’t go away, concocting a frantic rally, aided by a 25-yard goal from Bailey with ten minutes left.
But Lehman’s struggles to score caught up with them. Despite several gleaming chances, Leh-man couldn’t notch the tying goal in the final minutes.
While having locked a playoff spot, the Lobos look to gain traction heading into the postseason. Garcia and his team will await a Lockhart team aiming for an upset.
“Hopefully, we can fix our issues of finishing, and not fall into counter-attacks,” he said. “That’s what did us in tonight.”
