The girls soccer team will compete in the first round of playoffs against Denton Guyer on March 26 at 7 p.m. at Argyle Eagle Stadium. The team finished the regular season tied for second place in district.
“Getting second in this district is something to be proud of,” head coach Robert Vaughn said. “[Denton Guyer] is a good team. We’ve been practicing how to handle them and counterattack. But, if we play well, we’ll be OK.”
The team’s last district game was against Lewisville on March 19. The score ended 11-1 with the Lady Hawks securing a ticket to playoffs after a two-game losing streak. Goalkeeper and captain Destinie Apodaca said the team is prioritizing playing for each other, rather than themselves as they approach playoffs.
“Our mentality was kind of low, but going into [the game against] Lewisville and winning was really good [for us],” Apodaca said. “Last year, we had a bit of difficulty with [keeping morale]. It’s been really big this year to be a family.”
In the past two years, the Lady Hawks have lost in the first round of playoffs against McKinney Boyd. This year, manager Shannon Jackson said the girls are trying out different formations on the field. The Lady Hawks are creating their own formations instead of accommodating to the other team’s in each game.
“[Against Lewisville], everyone was eager to win [because] we lost the two games before that,” Jackson said. “[But, when] we have a bad game, we’re all checking in with each other and making sure everyone’s OK. Positivity and energy [on the field] – those bounce off each other.”
Denton Guyer finished the season ranked third in its district, and Vaughn said they have an attack-oriented playstyle. Vaughn said the team is preparing for the team by focusing on their penalty kickers. In some years, their playoff games have gone into overtime and r penalty kicks have been the deciding factor of the score.
“We’ve been trying to find our top kids to take penalty kicks,” Vaughn said. “You can go to practice, but when it’s a game and it’s on the line – all the pressure’s on you – it’s a little much. We [want to] be peaking right now [and] playing our best soccer.”
Jackson said this year’s playoffs are a bit more meaningful. On this year’s playoff shirts, the back says: “it’s a family business.” Senior defender Kayla Martinez’s older brother, Aaron Martinez, passed away of cancer last year, as well as former football head coach Brian Brazil. On the sleeve of each shirt has both men’s initials, A.M. and B.B., with a cross.
“Playing for [them in playoffs] is bigger than a team,” Vaughn said. “Family is important to a team, one million percent. They play hard for each other and love each other. It’s about the person next to you, the people that built this program – the legacy.”
