By: Libby Sanchez

Illiana Solorzano (left) and Slayde Huggins (right) posing in front of the sunset prior to home game.

The Pleasanton Women’s Soccer Varsity Team continues to fight through their district season, making their record 6-0-1. On January 31st, the girls hosted Hondo here at home for the district opener and made sure they knew who’s field they were on, taking the 5-0 win. It was quite the way to start district, and the girls were determined to keep the energy up. On February 3rd, the Eagles hosted Pearsall, a first year team. Taking charge was a no-given and the Varsity girls won 13-0, with nearly every player on the field getting a goal, including long-time defender Grace Keylich. Coach Joseph relented and decided to give the center back defender her time to shine, and she did not disappoint. Though this was a great game, they didn’t let this boost their ego too much before their big game the next week. On February 7th, both teams traveled to play against our longest and biggest rival, the Uvalde Lobos. “This game is one we look forward to every season, we haven’t been able to beat them yet, but we’re always close and we’re gonna work hard to win this game,” said senior, Grace Keylich. JV played first at 5pm, and unfortunately fell short by one goal that slipped through. As for varsity, early on in the first half Slayde Huggins got a break-away over the Lobo’s goalie and scored the first goal of the game. Putting us in the lead over Uvalde 1-0. Later in the first half, Uvalde was able to tie it up to 1-1 where it stayed for a majority of the game. Both teams fought to beat the other and midway through the second half, only one team gained the lead. One of two freshmen to make the varsity team, Emerie Lopez scored the game winning goal against the hardest team in our district. The girls were able to hold their own the rest of the game, playing phenomenal defense to bring home the win they’ve worked so hard for. The only other freshmen on the varsity team, Kathrin Banda, played her first full 80 minute varsity game, and did not let her team down with her performance. She stood her ground on the defensive line the entire time, not letting the Lobos deter her even as one of the youngest on the team. “It was a feeling like no other to beat this team, the rivalry tension has been here all four years of high school for me, and finally beating them is worthy of a celebration,” said senior, Brylee Miller. Days later on February 10th, the Eagles hosted Floresville as a new opponent. This time, the senior and freshman duo of Slayde Huggins and Emerie Lopez switched timing, and Emerie scored the first goal, and Slayde scored the game winning goal. Somewhere in between Floresville was able to sneak one in, but our girls came out on top once again, setting the final score 2-1. As for JV, it was a tough game and they came short 2-0, but are working hard to get them next time. On February 14th, both teams spent the holiday in long, tough matches against Somerset. Both games ended in a tie of 0-0, and the determination to not let that happen again has been showing at their practices since then. The following Friday, the varsity team traveled to Poteet for a 5pm game. The girls won with a final score of 10-0, continuing to dominate through district. The next week, they went back to face off against Hondo for the second time this season, ultimately starting the official countdown to playoffs. Emerie Lopez once again scored the winning goal that brought the final score to 1-0. On February 26th, Pearsall traveled to us for the second time, and the game ended with yet another win for our varsity girls, with a final score of 9-0. As of now, both teams are pushing it to their limits, training to go up against Uvalde for the second time this season on March 3rd here at home. Though proud of beating them last time, the girls plan to go into Friday’s game with a “down one mentality” and beat the Lobos on our home field this time. It’s a game nobody wants to miss, the adrenaline always runs high for both players and fans. We wish the best of luck to the Pleasanton Women’s Soccer Team on securing their first place district title!