It was the Lady Eagles’ season in a nutshell, though it didn’t make the ending any easier.
Hurst Bell goalie Johana Flores made a stop on Abilene High’s last penalty kick, and Rhett Normand’s PK ended the game, giving the Lady Blue Raiders a 5-4 victory in the District 3-6A finale for both teams Friday at Shotwell Stadium.
It was AHS’ fifth shootout in district — four of them losses. The Lady Eagles ended the season 7-9-5 overall and 2-9 in district with nine points.
“I don’t think there would be any other fitting way for the last one,” AHS coach Brent Camp said. “It had to end like this.”
Lady Eagles goalie Bailey Proctor was hoping her team would convert two good late chances in regulation, but she wasn’t surprised to be facing PKs at the end.
“We’ve had shootouts all season, and it still doesn’t get any less stressful at all,” Proctor said.
Bell (9-3 district, including three shootout wins) tied for second with 24 points but will be the third seed going into the playoffs.
Bell won the first meeting 3-0 in Hurst, and Proctor was happy her team battled the Lady Blue Raiders all the way to the end.
“Staying in it against a good team like L.D. Bell, especially considering last time we didn’t do so hot against them, is a big achievement,” Proctor said. “I was proud.”
Both teams had chances to score in regulation. Bell took 17 shots, but managed to put just four on frame — two each half. Proctor was there to stop all four.
The Lady Eagles took six shots — putting four on goal. Flores stopped all four.
AHS, which took the first shot in the shootout, got PKs from Bertha Sanchez, Gabby Valero, Estefany Hernandez and Aliyah Monroe.
Bell answered each time, getting PKs from Holly Madden, Abigail Qualls, Alexis Balboa and Rylie Theodore — the latter tying the game at 4.
It came down to the last two shooters in the regulation shootout. Flores came up with a stop on Lydia Sanchez’s PK, and Normand got a shot past Proctor, ending the game.
The four shootout losses, along with three one-goal losses, underscore just how close the Lady Eagles came to finishing higher in district and making the playoffs.
“If you can defend and keep a zero on (the opposing team’s) side of it, you’re a play or two away from breaking the thing open and getting a win,” Camp said.
Instead, it was the final game for four AHS seniors — Carissa Moreno, Valero, Proctor and Hernandez.
“We’re appreciative of our four seniors and the work they’ve done,” Camp said. “They’ve been great leaders and mentors to the young ones. We’re a fairly young team, and... Click here to read full article
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