by JASON GORDON
Hays’ Karlie Junot (right) and her Lady Rebel teammates couldn’t muster any offense in a 3-0 loss to Lake Travis in the soccer playoffs. (Photo by Rudy Gonzalez)
Hays head coach Ryan Race was hoping his Hays girls soccer team could earn one more shot at district rival Dripping Springs.
To make that happen, however, the Lady Rebels would first have to get by Lake Travis on Tuesday night at House Park in Austin.
Hays fell behind early and wasn’t able to play catch-up in a 3-0 playoff loss to the Lady Cavs.
“It’s disappointing because one of our major goals was to do well in the playoffs,” Race said. “But I’m definitely not disappointed in my players’ performance because they never quit. The Lake Travis coach even told me after the game he thought we outplayed them, we just couldn’t finish off our scoring chances.”
The key goal in the game came with five minutes left in the first half, which left Hays trailing 2-0 going into the break.
Lake Travis scored again near the end of the game on a breakaway, when Hays moved most of its players into the offensive end of the field to try and mount one final charge.
The Lady Rebels will lose six key seniors, Samantha Gonzalez, Katy Mendoza, Laura Vogt, Alissa Christian, Karlie Junot and Natasha Anderson.
Many of them played on the Hays team which advanced to the regional finals and was one step away from the state tournament two years ago.
“This is a group that will be missed,” Race said. “They were a big part of a lot of wins here.”
Race is also excited that his entire defense, except for Mendoza, will return next season.
“We played pretty good defense all year,” he said. “That’s a group we can certainly build on.”
Other key Hays players returning will be striker Stephanie Segovia and midfielder/defender Lena New.
“With the players we have coming back and the ones we’ll have coming up to varsity, I’m really excited about the state of our program moving forward,” Race said. “I think it’s a realistic goal to be a contender to go to state in the near future. If the girls continue to work hard and maintain their focus, I think we’ll continue to be very successful.”
One and Done
• After receiving a first-round bye Hays girls soccer team can’t get past Lake Travis in 3-0 playoff loss.
• The Lady Rebs never made a charge after trailing 2-0 at halftime
