The result was not what head coach Alexis Walker wanted, but the effort put forth by the Brownwood Lady Lions was much more in line with the norm in Friday’s 2-1 loss to the District 5-4A rival and reigning state finalist Stephenville Honeybees at Gordon Wood Stadium.
“The girls decided after watching the film of what they did Tuesday that they wanted to do better for themselves,” Walker said. “That’s what they did in the preseason, we had every going that you could want going into district. This is the game everyone looks forward to each year. Nobody wants to lose, especially to this team, but I’m excited by the way the girls played. Their coach came over and congratulated us for out-possessing them in the second half, and those are positive things to move forward with.”
Again playing without starting goal keeper Noemi Ceniceros due to emergency surgery earlier this week, Cate Smith took her turn in goal after Sidney Adkins accepted the responsibility against China Spring, a 3-1 setback earlier this week.
Both Stephenville goals came in the first half – 5:08 in and with 14:16 left before intermission – as the Honeybees were unable to build on their lead in the second half.
“Cate Smith is inexperienced in the goal but I thought she played lights out for us and was such a huge aspect of tonight’s performance,” Walker said. “The first goal was a good through ball through the middle of our defense. The second goal was just because of inexperience. Cate’s not a goal keeper, I don’t expect her to be one long term, I want her on the field. But for her to step up was huge for us, just like Sidney Adkins Tuesday night.”
Trailing 1-0 early, the Lady Lions drew even at 1 at the 21:24 mark of the opening half following a corner kick, as Reagan Ratliff eventually scored with help from Jacklyn Lewis.
“I told them that’s how you’re supposed to do corners, anticipate the ball and give whatever you’ve got to get it in the back of the net,” Walker said. “Jacklyn swung at the ball with her left foot, and she’s not left footed, and Reagan was able to get something on it and almost blew a hole in the back of the net.”
After winning nine of their first 12 matches, the Lady Lions (9-5-1, 1-3) are in the midst of a three-game skid with a 5 p.m. Tuesday trip to Gatesville on deck.
