By Madelyn Carter | Staff Writer
The boys and girls varsity soccer teams concluded the district season last night in competition with the Lee Volunteers.
The Lady Jags began the evening with a quick goal from senior Sharis Lachappelle, assisted by senior Courtney Kukes, in the first 8 minutes. In the last fifteen minutes, senior Thanya Campuzano put in two goals; one from a wide cross into the box and one by a split ball from Lachappelle.
The Jags went into the second half with a mentality to “not let down” as Coach Kara Stracener told the girls at halftime. This certainly was not a problem for the Jags as Campuzano tucked away another goal (earning her a hat trick for the evening) in the first three minutes of the second half, delivered by freshman Caitlin Schwartz. Lachappelle gained another goal only a minute after Campuzano’s third, with a pass from the hat trick-er herself.
“I was pretty excited,” Campuzano said of her play, “to finish the district season off with three goals. I couldn’t of done it without my teammates.”
The Jags continued to fend off the oppressed Volunteers, with saves from senior Jesse Friske, and clears from junior Bridget Gleason. Freshman Madison Amaro tucked away two goals in the last ten minutes of the match making the final score a 7-0 Jaguar victory.
The boys team faced a much rougher match, going up against the 10th-ranked team in the city. Lee made a goal in the opening minutes of the match, but the Jags were determined to go out fighting. Senior Logan Buccellato assisted to juniors Pashant Naga and Mason Lucero to put the Jags up 2-1 at halftime. Sophomore keeper Rudy Apodaca faced an injury to the head early into the first half, but senior Conner Campbell stepped in and fended of the attacking Vols.
The second half was a defensive battle on the Lee attacking side. The Jags held up until the last ten minutes, where the Vols slipped in a goal to make the final result 2-2.
“Overall it was kind of a disappointing season, compared to how we did last year, which also wasn’t too good. But, the good thing about having a bad season is that there’s a lot room for improvement,” an injured Apodaca said.
The boys soccer team ended their 2011 season with a 7-9-5 record overall.
The girls soccer team’s season is not quite over, as they will now by competing in the Region IV playoffs. Finishing third in District 26-5A, they will play Judson next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at BAC complex.
“I was proud of my girls for not letting down, and now we just look forward to advancing in playoffs,” Stracener said.
