Austin-area girls soccer: Handful of final key matches to decide remaining playoff spots
Leander recorded a huge win as the Lions beat state-ranked and district co-leading Cedar Park 2-1, leaving head coach Alexia Dyar highly impressed.
“We played our absolute best game of the year and pushed it the full 80 minutes," Dyar said. "It was a solid team effort by every girl on the field, including our bench.”
Leander midfielder Kensley Smith opened the scoring in the first five minutes with a goal and got a second goal in the 22nd minute off a corner. Leander led 2-0 at the half and allowed the Timberwolves' high-powered offense only one shot on goal in the half.
Cedar Park scored in the 76th minute off a header, but Leander kept the Timberwolves at bay to secure the victory. Despite the loss, Cedar Park can secure the district championship with a win Friday night against first-place Rouse, which defeated Glenn 3-1 Tuesday night while Liberty Hill beat Hays 5-0. The Rouse and Liberty Hill wins secured district playoff spots, with Cedar Park, Leander, Rouse and Liberty Hill advancing.
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In District 24-5A, McCallum beat Travis 6-0 while Eastside Early College blanked Northeast Early College 2-0 and the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders beat Crockett 5-0. Ann Richards, LASA and McCallum have clinched playoff berths, with Crockett leading the race for the final spot.
Georgetown won the District 23-5A championship with a 4-0 shutout win over crosstown rival and playoff-bound East View 4-0. Finley Newell, Mycah Morrow, Ambrey Heath and Kim Salazar had goals for the Eagles. East View would be second with a win against Connally. Hendrickson is third, a match in back of East View, and the teams have split their district meetings. A Hendrickson win and an East View loss would leave the teams tied in the standings and head-to-head as each team won 2-1 on its home pitch. In other district action Tuesday, Hendrickson blanked Connally 4-0, Elgin edged Pflugerville 1-0, and Bastrop beat Cedar Creek in the Battle for Bastrop County.
Lots on the line with final Westlake-Johnson match
Dripping Springs continued its winning ways as the Tigers blanked Del Valle 9-0. Goals for the Tigers were scored by Ellie Hodsden, Alison Dement, Taylor Hodsden, Alex Knutson, Hayley Bodman, Riley Sisson, Eden Tomhave, Reese Braymen and Gabbi Ridenhour. Lake Travis beat Austin High 3-2, and Westlake beat Bowie 2-0 on goals by AJ Carlson and Addie Bray while Bray and Kate Grannais added assists.
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Westlake, Anderson and Johnson are vying for the last two spots heading into Friday night's end of district. If Johnson beats Westlake on Friday, the Jaguars and Anderson will make the playoffs and Westlake will not. But if Westlake wins, the Chaps are in. And if they tie, Anderson would need to win or tie to advance. Dripping Springs and Lake Travis have clinched first and second place in district.
One 25-6A spot left for Stony Point, Vista Ridge to claim
In District 25-6A, Round Rock beat Cedar Ridge 3-1 while Westwood walloped Manor 10-0, Vandegrift beat Vista Ridge 5-0 and Stony Point beat McNeil 3-1. In the Vandegrift win, the Vipers' goals came from Cooper Horn, Sophie Baca, Avery Putnam, Brit Collins and Lili Bustami. Vipers goalkeepers Libby Brooker, Kate Perrey and Leanne Nicholes combined for the shutout.
Round Rock won on goals by Kara Harris, Alexis Montgomery and Lexi Duarte. Westwood exploded with 10 goals as Mia Bibbo and Tayte Webster scored twice. Round Rock, Vandegrift and Westwood have clinched playoff berths while Stony Point and Vista Ridge are competing for the final spot going into the Friday night finale.
Giddings won its ninth straight district championship by shutting out Smithville 6-0 behind four goals from Jaida Rodea. Giddings coach Kristy Bradford indicated that the Buffs' defense was sterling and included strong efforts by Taryn Kleinert, Yazmin Segura, Aubi Luna, Iliana Zavala, Audrey Nicks and Carolina Segura. Goalkeepers Journey Wolridge, Gabby Jennings and Adamaris Hernandez combined for the shutout.
Burnet raced past Lago Vista 8-0 last Friday as Brook Oliva and Amelia Griffin scored two goals each for the Bulldogs while Kaycie Banton, Caroline Valencia, Haylie Bartlett and Ari Chavez each notched a goal. Oliva had two assists. The Bulldogs' defense and goalkeeper Juliet Morales kept another clean sheet in the back. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs beat Gateway Charter Prep 3-0.
Leander freshman takes player of the week honors
Player of the week: Kensley Smith, fr., Leander. Kensley scored both goals as the Lions beat state-ranked (and previously undefeated in district) Cedar Park 2-1 Tuesday night. Smith, a ball-handling specialist, has incredible range and a touch for directing the ball into the goal.
Another district title earns Giddings top area team kudos
Team of the week: Giddings. The Buffs won their ninth straight district championship by beating Smithville 6-0 and finished district play with a 96-1 goals advantage. Giddings has won 11 straight matches and hasn't lost a home regular-season match this season. Giddings has lost only six matches in the past four years.
Best area matches this week
Friday
Cedar Park at Rouse, 7:15 p.m.
Vandegrift at Westwood, 7:30 p.m.
Anderson at Dripping Springs, 7:45 p.m.
Westlake at Dripping Springs, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Ann Richards at McCallum, 10:45 a.m.
Fab Fives
Class 6A
1. Dripping Springs 16-3-2
2. Round Rock 14-1-4
3. Lake Travis 14-4-3
4. Vandegrift .12-4-3
5. Westwood .8-4-6
Class 5A
1. Georgetown 19-0-3
2. Ann Richards 18-1-0
3. Rouse 16-3-1
4. Cedar Park 14-4-3
5. Leander 16-4-2
Class 4A
1. Burnet 21-2-1
2. St. Michael’s 17-3-2
3. Giddings 13-3-2
4. Wimberley 16-3-2
5. Marble Falls 11-3-1
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin-area girls soccer races coming down to the wire for playoffs
