CHS fights Lady Dragons, comes up short, 2-0
After dropping a pair of hard-fought games against true Class 4A schools in their first two District 35-4A contests, the Center Lady Rider soccer team was hoping to pull off an upset when it traveled to Nacogdoches Tuesday night as the early tough road continued. CHS came through with another stellar effort, but came up just short against the Lady Dragons, falling 2-0.
The loss drops the Lady Riders to 6-7 on the season and 0-3 in league play, tied with Hudson (0-3 district) and one game behind fourth-place Diboll (1-2 district) in the league standings. Jacksonville (5-6-5, 3-0) is tied with Nacogdoches (3-0 district) for the District 35-4A top spot, while Palestine (11-3-1, 2-1) is just one game back of the leaders.
In other district results this week, Nacogdoches blanked Hudson, 7-0, Monday in a make-up game from Friday. Jacksonville knocked off Palestine, 3-2. In the other 35-4A game on Tuesday, Diboll edged Hudson, 3-2.
"I am very proud, as a coach, because the girls gave Nacogdoches everything they could handle and came close to pulling off the upset," said Center Head Coach Jonathan Vick. "These girls are playing the best soccer they have played, and if they keep playing the way they are we'll be right in the middle of the district race."
Vick praised the play of CHS freshman goalie Raquel Hernandez, along with defensemen Stephanie Araujo and Berenice Esparza. He also stated that junior forward Norma Ruiz had an excellent game against the Lady Dragons.
The score was tied 0-0 at the half, with Nacogdoches trickling in a pair of goals in the second half.
The Lady Riders will return home on Friday to face Diboll at 6 p.m. In other district games on Friday, Nacogdoches will travel to Jacksonville and Palestine will be at Hudson.