WEATHERFORD —
The Weatherford Lady Roos were on the bubble, as they squared off against Richland Tuesday night. Currently sitting in fourth in District 3-5A, the Lady Roos came up with a big win, 2-0, to further solidify a playoff slot.
“Tonight was a huge win for us,” said Weatherford head coach Tyler Kernan. “We’re currently sitting in fourth, but we play North Crowley and Burleson next, two teams we’ve already played and beaten.
“We’re hoping to sneak into that third slot, and avoid facing some of the Arlington schools in the playoffs.”
It was all defense the first half of Tuesday’s contest, as each team battled to keep the ball away from its goal. Richland finally broke through to go on a 4-2 break, and charged with 19 minutes left, but Weatherford quickly retained possession.
Sophomore Shelby Way had a chance at daylight a few minutes later, breaking free and dribbling the ball towards the goal, but a swarm of defenders were able to catch up, and knock the ball away to end the threat.
Way kept at it, getting yet another chance by blowing past a Lady Rebel. Her kick was accurate, but the Richland goalie made a diving save to keep the game scoreless.
With 7:15 on the clock, the Lady Roos got a free kick opportunity, and despite having good position around the net, two headers went wide. It was the last real scoring chance for either team as the buzzer sounded for a 0-0 halftime score.
“The way we played the first half was so familiar with how we’ve played all season,” Kernan said. “We’ve got a lot of sophomores attacking and creating chances, but they’re not going into the net. It’s been that pattern all season.”
A little more than 10 minutes into the second period, Weatherford’s persistence paid off. Senior Blyss Stewart knifed her way through a pair of defenders, and hit a shot into the right corner of the net, putting the game’s first point on the scoreboard, 1-0.
Richland had a chance to counter on a corner kick opportunity minutes later, but the Lady Roos batted it away and out of danger.
Weatherford carried the ball downfield, and knocking it off of a Lady Rebel for a throw-in. Sophomore Amber Bailey found Stewart, who kicked a rifle into the same spot of the night for her seond goal of the game, giving the Lady Roos a 2-0 advantage with 20 minutes left.
Richland had yet another opportunity to match the score with a free kick from the left side, but defensive pressure caused the kick to go wide left and out of bounds, turning the ball over to Weatherford.
With time running out and the Lady Roos in full command of the game, junior Megan McLemore found herself with a wide-open shot after juking a defender, but the kick sailed high and over the goal.
“Earlier in the season, I pulled my group of seniors aside and told them to use that sense of urgency that seniors have,” Kernan said. “I was really pleased with the way Blyss stepped up. These senior leaders really played more aggressive tonight.”
The victory brings the Lady Roos to 5-5 in district play, and 9-6-2 overall. Weatherford’s next contest is at North Crowley Friday at 7:45 p.m.
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