Lehman defenders Angelica Romero (left) and Pressley Bailey play some pressure defense during a recent match. A home win over Hays Friday night would go a long way toward giving Lehman its first district title in a team sport. The Rebel and Lobo boys teams will also square off in a key district battle at Hays High Friday evening. (Photo by Shelby Vaughan)
by JASON GORDON
The District 49-4A boys and girls soccer seasons can basically be summed up into a statement every local fan and coach of the sport has known for weeks – Friday night’s matchups between Hays and Lehman will go a long way in determining the outcome of the league titles.
The Lehman girls are closing in on clinching the school’s first-ever district title in a team sport.
With both Bastrop and Hays close behind, the Lady Lobos have the lead with an 8-1 district record with three games remaining.
Wins over Giddings Wednesday night, Hays Friday and last-place LaGrange in the season-finale on March 20 (no district games will be played during spring break) the Lehman girls would clinch the district title.
“Winning the district title would mean all of our hard work has finally paid off,” said Lehman senior captain Haley Parsons. “It would not only mean all of our hard work has paid off and get the Lady Lobos soccer program recognized, but it would let people know Lehman is a force to be reckoned with.”
The Lehman girls, who have rebounded from their lone district loss of the season against Bastrop with wins over Cedar Creek and Lockhart, beat Hays for the first time in team history last month at Shelton Stadium.
The Lady Lobos’ 1-0 win over the Lady Rebels was hard to take for Hays players, according to Lady Rebel head coach Cole Reynolds.
Hays currently has a 6-2-1 district record and is in a close battle with Bastrop for second place, but still has an outside shot at the district title. The Lady Rebs beat Lockhart 4-0 Monday night behind goals from Mila Bustos, Jessica Cruz, Kelli Uresti and Samantha Hollensbe.
“I think judging by the way our team felt after losing to them for the first time in the history of the school last time out, Lehman may be in trouble Friday night,” Reynolds said. “I think our girls want to beat them by more than just one goal.”
Uresti, Hays’ leading goal scorer this season, agreed.
“We pretty much have a playoff spot assured,” Uresti said. “But the rivalry between Lehman and Hays will always drive us to want to win. I know the seniors really want to beat Lehman one last time.”
The Lady Lobos and Lady Rebels, will square off Friday night at Lehman starting at 7:45 p.m.
The Hays and Lehman boys soccer teams will battle at Shelton Stadium Friday night, with the Rebels trying to avenge a 2-0 loss to the Lobos earlier this season.
The boys race in 49-4A is close, as Hays, Cedar Creek, Lockhart, Lehman and Bastrop all still have a chance to claim the district crown. Conversely, one of the five teams will also miss the playoffs.
The boys district standings (teams earn three points for a win and one for a tie) as of Wednesday morning were: Hays 19 points, Cedar Creek 17 points, Lockhart 17 points, Lehman 16 points and Bastrop 15 points. The top four will make the playoffs.
“I think to win district, you have to win against the teams that beat you the first time around, and that starts with Lehman Friday night,” Hays head coach Jason Burnett said. “We know if we win out, we’ll be district champs and that’s all you can ask for.”
Lehman has the same opportunity.
“If we win out, we can be district champs,” said Lehman head coach Jay Sansom. “Or we could finish fifth. Hays is the one that’s in the way next, so we have to go get them.”
Lehman and Hays will play at Shelton Stadium Friday night, starting at 7:45 p.m.
