SOC: Lady Riders play for playoff spot tonight
an earlier season game. The Lady Riders will be playing for their first-
ever playoff spot in the history of the program tonight. (Photo by
John Krueger)
The 2010 soccer season for the Center Lady Riders has had its share of high and low points. But nothing would be more of a climax for the season - and in the 7-year history of the program - than a win over Hudson tonight (Friday) in Roughrider Stadium.
The team which captured its first-ever District 35-4A win this season, a victory tonight against Hudson would not only be the third league win of the season, but give the Lady Riders their first-ever soccer playoff berth.
Center set up the final 'run for the postseason' on Tuesday night with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Diboll's Lumberjack Stadium. In that game the Lady Riders trailed 2-0 in the first half before coming back to register three straight goals, with the critical score coming with just 48 seconds left on the clock. Norma Ruiz sliced a shot past the Ladyjack goalkeeper to give the Lady Riders the victory.
"We came out in that game flat in the first half, but all of the sudden the girls came out and started playing more aggressive," said Lady Rider head coach Jonathan Vick. "I had told the girls that we had to be aggressive if we wanted to win and after they became aggressive we played most of the game from that point at Diboll's end of the field.
"I couldn't be more proud of the way they fought their way back and put themselves into this position to make the playoffs."
The Center-Hudson game will get underway at 6 p.m. Center is currently 8-11 on the season and 2-7 against league competition. The Lady Riders snapped a 3-game losing skid with the victory over the Ladyjacks.
"Friday's game is simple; if we win, we're in the playoffs," explained Vick. "We'll be tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the district, but we'll hold a point differential and we'll be in.
"This is a very winnable game for us, but that doesn't mean Hudson won't come out and give it everything they have to knock us off. [The Lady Hornets] would like nothing more than to beat us. We're going to have to play like we did Tuesday and come out aggressive and take the game to them and win it.
"I told the girls that Tuesday's win was great, but if they don't come out and play with the same kind of intensity and win the game Friday, it won't mean anything."
After trailing Diboll 2-0, Center senior Fabiola Solis scored before intermission to give the Lady Riders momentum as they went into the locker room trailing only by one goal, 2-1.
"That goal by Fabiola was huge for us," Vick described. "It gave some momentum going into the half and it showed the girls what they can accomplish when they keep pressure on the other team."
Ruiz then scored a minute into the second half to tie the score at 2-2, igniting the Lady Riders, as they continued to push the ball up the field and keep pressure on the Ladyjacks.
Ruiz then finished off Diboll with 48 ticks left on the clock.
Vick noted the play of junior Stephanie Araujo and junior Emma Landin, saying they really stepped up their games against Diboll. He added that he gave his 'heart award' to freshman Maria Tello, commenting that she really made a difference in the ballgame.
"We've got some unfinished business," Vick insisted. "I told them not to be satisfied with [Tuesday's win]. We have something to play for on Friday and we want a spot in the playoffs and have a chance to control our own destiny to do that."
All four teams in District 35-4A that qualify for the playoffs will receive a first-round bye, meaning that if they qualify for the playoffs they'll begin the postseason in the Area round against the second-place finisher in District 33-4A. That game would be played on either March 22 or 23.