In the face of what could have been a bittersweet moment Friday, Hays Rebel senior forward Maya Hood showed a broad smile.
After enduring 71-plus minutes of a physically dominant San Antonio Reagan Rattler back line, Hood fought to score the Rebels’ lone goal in a 5-1 bidistrict playoff round loss.
But there was a silver lining beyond the end of the season and beyond Hood’s last goal of her high school career.
For Hood, Friday’s game meant finally being able to play in the postseason.
“This is my first time making it past district, so it meant something,” Hood said. “I’m glad we could (make the playoffs) as a team. This is the team I wanted to do it with.”
Hays quickly found itself in a hole against a state ranked Reagan team that reached the state semifinals a year previous.
After tallying a goal within the first ten minutes of play, Reagan padded its lead with a goal scored midway in the first half. Several minutes later, the Rattlers struck again to take a 3-0 halftime lead.
Brent Holcomb, Hays Rebel head soccer coach, said Reagan was “by far” the fastest counter attack team they had played all season long. The Rattlers’ ability to quickly move downfield left Rebel defenders unable to keep up.
Reagan combined its speed with a size and skill advantage as well. Reagan’s offense moved with fluidity, forcing the Rebels to match.
“When you get out to this level, it’s going to be rough and tumble,” Holcomb said. “This level of play deserves the next level of rough and tumble.”
Hays, however, adapted to the physical style of play and settled in to start the second half.
They did so by effectively possessing the ball and limiting Reagan’s offense.
Hood, along with sophomore Jenna Sheely and senior Isa Hernandez helped Hays combat the Rattlers.
But trying to match the Rattlers’ physicality also led to several miscues for the Rebels, which include two penalty kick opportunities converted by the Rattler offense.
Reagan utilized its speed and muscle to score a pair of second half goals to take a commanding 5-0 lead late in the second half.
“They’re a great team and they have great speed,” Holcomb said. “It was difficult to play with.”
But for Hood, trying to tally at least one last goal provided ample motivation.
With roughly nine minutes left, Hood pushed her way past defenders to find herself with only the goalkeeper to contend with.
Hood used her momentum to hit the shot over the top of the goalkeeper.
“If it was going to be my last game, I wanted to go out with a goal,” Hood said.
Making the postseason was an “immense victory” for the 2017 Rebel soccer program, as few expected Hays to compete in the new 25-6A.
“The game doesn’t show the quality of the team. That’s tough because they did a great job this year,” Holcomb said. “I told them not to judge the season by the game. They fought hard.”
Hood said success during the season may have forced other teams to catch up with Hays, which is a role reversal from years past.
“In the past, we’ve always been the underdogs,” Hood said. “Now we have a chance for ourselves.”
