By Moses Leos III.
Taking on tough opposition at the Timber Creek tournament in Fossil Ridge, the Hays Lady Rebel soccer team earned fourth place over the weekend. Hays completed the tournament with a 1-2 mark.
Hays started with a 4-0 win over host Fossil Ridge. They followed that with a 1-0 defeat to Alamo Heights.
Head coach Brent Holcomb said the team had to adapt to Heights’ speed.
“Heights [was] very skilled individually,” Holcomb said. “[The match] was very fast all around. Our speed of play had to match their’s.”
While they allowed the lone goal, Holcomb was pleased with their performance against a high-profile opponent. Alamo Heights reached the regional round of the 2013 4A playoffs.
“I was exceptionally pleased with our play against Heights,” he said. “We rose to the occasion, even though we took the loss.”
In the final day of tournament play, Hays took on Fossil Ridge Timber Creek in the third place game, falling 4-1.
Sam Gordon led the way with two goals, while Mila Bustos, Samantha Hollensbe and Alexis Cowher scored one goal each.
Holcomb said the experience was beneficial, as the team took on high-quality opposition.
It was enough for the players to play at a high level.
“They were very excited,” Holcomb said. “They don’t like to lose, but I think they were appreciative of the experience. We learned a great deal about the team and each other.” L
