STAFF REPORT
A week after claiming the Marble Falls Mustang Classic Tournament Championship, the Hays Lady Rebel soccer team were out to stake a claim on their own tournament – the Lady Rebel Cup.
Despite splitting the team into two groups, both Lady Rebel teams posted top 5 finishes, with Team #2 winning the Lady Rebel Cup Championship, beating Canyon Lake 3-1 for top honors.
The Lady Rebel Cup began with Hays splitting the varsity team into two separate groups, due to a last-minute cancellation by a previously scheduled team.
Team #2 kicked off the tournament against Austin Akins on Thursday, cruising to a 3-1 victory over the Lady Eagles.
Sophomore left wing Tabitha Rodriguez played a big part in the Rebels opening match win, scoring two goals – one in the first and one in the last minute of play.
“It was a pretty intense game,” said Rodriguez. “The first goal, I got an assist from Mary Fowler, which placed the ball right in front of me. I looked up and took the shot. I’m so happy it went in. With the second goal, I did not expect to get the ball, but I got it anyway, and took the shot for the score. It was a win-win situation at the time.”
After the Akins match, defense would be the name of the game for Team #2, as they continued play with a 2-0 win over Fredericksburg on the same day. The group then followed that performance with a 4-0 win over Georgetown East View on Friday.
Team #2 did not give up a goal in more than 170 minutes of play and it would not be until Canyon Lake scored one goal in the final match of the tournament that the streak would end.
The Rebels dispatched Canyon Lake 3-1, allowing the team to claim the overall championship via points and goals scored.
Hays Team #1 completed the Rebel Cup in fourth place, with a 2-1 tournament record.
Their trek through the Rebel Cup began against a tough Reagan team, which took Team #1 to the brink. Hays had to stave off a late rally from the Lady Raiders, holding on to a 4-3 victory.
The second contest for Team #1 came against St. Stephens, which would finish second in the final standings of the tournament. Hays Team #1 struggled in the match, unable to halt an experienced and seasoned Lady Spartan team. St. Stephens eventually overpowered the Lady Rebels 6-0.
The final match of tournament play for Team #1 saw the Lady Rebels rebound from the tough loss to St. Stephens. Stellar play by the Lady Rebel offense helped the team defeat Elgin 3-1.
Both of the Lady Rebel teams will combine again for the next match, which will herald the beginning of district play. The Lady Rebels will travel to Lockhart for a 7:45 p.m. game on Jan. 25 against the Lady Lions.
