Lady Tiger Soccer falls at State
The common goal before the season starts for all sports is to win state. To accomplish that one has to get to state first. Only four get to go. The Dripping Springs Lady Tigers soccer team was able to navigate the treacherous waters and made their first appearance at the state soccer tourney since 2008. Getting to state can sometimes be the easy part but once there, the level of play is professionally higher, and it does not take much to be eliminated before you reach that gold ring. This was the case for Dripping Springs as they were unable to crack the first round of play. Have no fear. They shall return.
Regional play provided enough drama to last a lifetime for anyone. They were able to survive two double-overtime shootouts. The odds are usually great that you can't do that often. Just adds to the battle-testing sports puts one under.
Gregory-Portland provided the first opportunity. Zoe Flores and Jessica Carmichael stroked the ball into the net that allowed the Lady Tigers to tie the game in regulation 2-2. After two-ten minute OT periods the game would go to a shootout. One goalkeeper guarding a 20-foot net against a kicker is a daunting assignment. Mostly, it is intuition to outguess the kicker as to where. Elizabeth Jones was up to the task and blocked two penalty kicks that would give the Lady Tigers the win and right to advance.
This put them against old district foe, Alamo Heights. This time it was Emma Jones getting the lone goal as the game ended 1-1. The Lady Tigers knew the story and again Jones provided the ending by getting two blocks in this game as well. On to State.
The state tourney was held at Georgetown, so the trip was certainly not very far. DS drew Mansfield Legacy, a formidable opponent. But again, there is no other at state, not to mention the Dallas-Ft. Worth area is a hotbed of soccer play. Despite giving it their best for the total game, the Mansfield squad was more dominant and overwhelming on the field. They would score two goals in each half to take the match 4-0 and advance to the finals. The Lady Tigers were only able to get one shot at the goal. Eleven Lady Tigers played their last game for Dripping Springs but can be proud to know they have been the leaders in the revitalization of the girls soccer program and that only two teams finished ahead of them in Class 5A. The Lady Tigers finished with a 21-6-3 record.