by JASON GORDON
Allison Talley puts her best foot forward during Hays’ 6-0 win over San Marcos last Tuesday. The Lady Rebels outscored their two opponents 11-0 after struggling to find the back of the net earlier in the district season. (Photo by Rudy Gonzalez)
It might not be a bad idea to try and get a couple of stock market tips from Hays girls head soccer coach Ryan Race.
Days after predicting his team would break out of a scoring slump that had plagued the Lady Rebels during district play, Hays scored a total of 11goals in two shutout victories.
On Tuesday, Hays, jumped all over San Marcos early as Natasha Anderson scored two goals, and Stephanie Segovia and Allison Talley added a goal each to give the Lady Rebs a 4-0 halftime lead.
Segovia’s goal was impressive, coming from 20 yards out as she rocketed the ball into the back of the net.
“She hit that shot better than most guys do,” Race said. “She absolutely crushed it.”
Marissa McCann and Laura Vogt each added second half goals against the Lady Rattlers to help Hays cruise to the win.
Against Seguin Friday night, things weren’t as easy for Hays before the break as the Lady Rebels got only one first half goal from Talley and led 1-0.
Hays exploded in the second half, as Lindy Mendoza and Karlie Junot added a goal each, and Anderson scored two more to lead the Lady Rebs to a 5-0 win.
Hays, which improved to 4-1-1 in District 51-4A, has still only allowed one goal in league action. But Hays didn’t score a single goal on offense two weeks ago in a 1-0 loss to Dripping Springs and a 0-0 tie with Lehman.
“It was what I expected,” Race said. “This is what we’ve been looking for. Our offense is coming together very well. We’ve changed our point of attack on offense and it’s really paying off.”
Race said a little practice time scolding didn’t hurt Hays’ cause either.
“I got a little upset one day in practice,” Race said. “Since then, our practices have been sharper and more intense, and it’s showing up in the way we’re playing during games.”
Hays senior Katy Mendoza said the Lady Rebs are coming together at a good time during the middle of the district season.
“Putting up a few goals makes us feel like the team we’re so used to being,” Mendoza said. “We’re getting in synch and that’s starting to show.”
Race said he feels the best is definitely yet to come for his team.
“I have no doubt we’re playoff bound,” Race said. “But we still need to improve. We’re still not at the point where we’re capitalizing on all our scoring chances and that’s something we have to work on.”
