By Moses Leos III.
Three second-half goals, two by senior Max Soto, helped the Lehman High girls soccer team defeat Manor 4-1 in the Lady Lobos 2014 home opener Monday night.
Early on, Manor held the upper hand, scoring within the first four minutes of play.
Lady Lobo head coach Nauri Garcia said getting started has been an issue; he felt it was a mitigating factor in their 5-0 loss to Cibolo Steele on Jan. 10.
Junior Pressley Bailey and senior Mariah Tamayo said the team has been working on continued progress on synchronicity and team chemistry.
Lehman High forward Mariah Tamayo (9) runs past a Manor defender during the Lady Lobos’ home opening match on Jan. 13. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
“We’re still trying to learn each other, trying to find [team] chemistry,” Bailey said. “We’re doing anything we can to make opportunities.”
But that all changed midway through the first half, as the Lady Lobos took control of tempo and possession – and held on to both the remainder of the contest.
Lehman’s aggressive attitude paid off at the 15:33 mark, as a Tamayo corner kick was headed in from point blank range by Riley Blok, tying the game 1-1 going into halftime.
Garcia said the team’s goal was to work on counter-attacks, holding the 40-yard line. Senior Max Soto felt the team thrived when Garcia gave them the green light to attack.
“When he gives us that room to play past [the 40-yard line] and put pressure, that’s when our girls step up and start to play more aggressive,” she said.
The second half saw the Lady Lobos dominate the pitch, spending time in the Manor zone. Lehman reeled off several shots with no success.
It wasn’t until the 26:42 mark that Soto drilled a goal from 15-yards out. Three minutes later, Soto was the recipient of a corner kick from Tamayo, heading it past the keeper to make it 3-1.
Tamayo capped off the night with a long-range shot from 20 yards out with 1:50 left, closing out the win for Lehman.
Garcia was impressed with the improved defensive play. He was also pleased with the team’s progression on offense.
“The second half was better in that we got the ball up quicker, our attack was smoother, and less touches on the ball,” he said. “We also finished in our third instead of looking too pretty.”
The team now readies itself for Rebel Cup, where they will take on tough competition. Soto said the competition would help young players understand the rigors of their upcoming district schedule.
“That will be a learning experience for us this week,” she said.
