By Moses Leos III.
Lehman High goalkeeper Jessie Cruz begins to kick away a ball during the 2014 Rebel Cup in January. On Saturday, saves by Cruz helped keep the Lady Lobos alive against Bastrop. A last second goal from Alexandra Nieto pushed Lehman to a 2-1 win. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
A last ditch effort in the waning seconds led to an exciting, memorable finish for the Lady Lobo soccer team on Saturday afternoon.
On the foot of midfielder Alex Nieto, who scored with 19 seconds left in the match, the Lady Lobos claimed a 2-1 win over the Bastrop Lady Bears. Lehman improves to 2-1 in 49-4A play.
Early on, the Lady Lobos and Lady Bears dueled to a scoreless first half draw. The Lady Bears were the aggressor, outshooting the Lobos 7-2 in the first half.
It was goalkeeper Jessie Cruz that kept the Lady Lobos in the ball game, according to head coach Nauri Garcia.
“Jessie played an outstanding game,” Garcia said. “She kept us in the contest.”
Garcia then made adjustments in the second half, pushing players forward to improve team quickness.
It helped to move senior Max Soto from the midfield to the striker position; that change led to a more aggressive style of play from the Lady Lobos.
It paid off, as Lehman struck first.
Soto manufactured a run down the right flank following a misplayed Bastrop goal kick; she then positioned a cross into the penalty box. The ball bounced past defenders to freshman midfielder Neftali Mercado, who drove home the opening goal.
Having younger players produce on the field is an asset, according to Garcia. Their ability to generate offense helps take some of the pressure off his experienced players.
“It helps when [younger] players score, and we can have others step up, if need be,” Garcia said. “It makes (the upperclassmen) feel like they don’t have to be the hero all the time.”
But Bastrop responded late, scoring an equalizer with five minutes left in the game.
The score remained tied as time elapsed. With less than 30 seconds left, the Lady Lobos were the beneficiaries of a corner kick.
The first kick was defended out of bounds, earning a second, which was cleared from the penalty box.
That clearance settled in front of Nieto, who was 25-yards from goal. Nieto wound up and unleashed a high, arching shot, which floated out of the reach of the keeper, and into the back of the net.
It was an incredible moment for Garcia, as the goal helped his team seal the win. It was also a groundbreaking victory, as the Lobos bested the defending district champions.
“It was the kind of thing movie scripts are made of,” he said.
