by MOSES LEOS III
For the Lehman Lady Lobo soccer team, the goal of the Lady Rebel Cup was not necessarily predicated on wins and losses. The Lobos’ ability to further congeal as a team became paramount more than anything else.
The Lady Lobos did just that, as a strong team effort helped Lehman finish with a 2-1 record in the Lady Rebel Cup, earning the team a fifth place finish out of the 10 teams that participated.
Lehman got off to a tremendous start on the opening day of play, as a determined defensive effort led to a 1-0 victory over Elgin on Thursday. Forward Shayla Seeger-Avona scored the only goal of the match, via an assist from freshman Dynah Ramos.
The first game on Friday saw the Lady Lobos overpower Reagan 5-1. Seeger-Avona had a brilliant match, scoring three goals, earning the team’s first hat trick of the season. Helping Seeger-Avona were center-midfielders Pressley Bailey and Mariah Tamayo, both of whom scored a goal each.
Tamayo had possibly the best goal of the tournament for the Lobos, as a shot from 25 yards out sailed past the keeper, into the net.
“We took a lot of shots, which helped us set up our offense. After taking so many shots, eventually, one like that goes in,” said Tamayo after the Reagan win.
Skillful defense also played a big role in limiting a strong Reagan offense to one goal. Lehman’s presence in the middle-third of the pitch kept the Lady Raiders from making any progress.
“We just made sure that (Reagan) did not work past the middle of the field. We locked it down,” Tamayo said.
In the final match of the tournament, Lehman faced off against a powerful St. Stephens team, which had gone undefeated through their first three matches of the tournament.
Lehman put up a fight, but the Lady Lobos fell 2-1 to the eventual second place team of the tournament. Freshman Alexis Sanchez scored Lehman’s lone goal, assisted by Pamela Lasprilla.
The highlight of the St. Stephens match was the play of goalkeeper Evelyn Martinez, who saved 14 shots on goal.
Lehman girls head soccer coach Nauri Garcia was ultimately pleased with how the Lobos performed in the Cup. The ability for the squad to further progress and learn on the field may have been the biggest attribute of all.
“We are at the point of the season where we are viewing what the work on the field looks like, versus the results,” Garcia said.
Additionally, players suffering from injuries from the Lady Rebel Cup and also from the McAllen Border Blast two weeks ago, proved equally important.
The success of the weekend was not lost on Garcia, who acknowledged that the Lobos’ ability to score seven goals, while only allowing three in the entire tournament was a big moment for this program.
The Lady Lobos beat the Wimberley Texans Tuesday night 3-0 during Lehman’s final non-district contest. Two first half goals, by freshman Alexis Sanchez and junior Shayla Seeger, built the lead. A goal late in the second half by junior Max Soto sealed the 3-0 victory.
