The Brownwood Lions closed the home portion of their 2024 soccer schedule in dramatic fashion Friday night at Gordon Wood Stadium, claiming a penalty kick shootout victory over the playoff-bound Gatesville Hornets.
“I’m super proud we were able to finish the game with a ‘W,’” said Lions head coach Michael Westerman. “We seem to try and make every game this season a bit more entertaining than we would like, but overall I’m just proud that we were able to be on the winning side of it.”
Tied at 1 at the end of regulation, with Gatesville (11-6-1, 6-5) pulling even with just over a minute left, the Lions (6-10-1, 4-7) scored on all five of its penalty kick attempts, while Wyatt Jackson recorded one block to secure the victory.
Colton McMillian, Junior Martinez, Caden Carnes, Eli Valenciano and Jose Rodriguez scored for Brownwood, while Jackson deflected the second shot attempt by Gatesville.
“We’ve been in a PK shootout a couple of times this year so that’s definitely been a huge thing we’ve implemented into our practices,” Westerman said. “We try and make it fun during the session, not put too much pressure on the boys, and Jose is always the one that steps up in practice and makes the last one. He wants all the pressure, he feels all the pressure and he always steps up.”
After a scoreless first half, the Lions struck first just shy of the midway point of the second half when Martinez converted a free kick following a Gatesville penalty in the box.
“That was similar to when we faced them in the first round, we were able to get into the attacking third and draw a foul at the top of the box,” Westerman said. “Junior is phenomenal at striking a standing ball and it’s ironic because the first time we faced them it was the same spot and Junior struck it and it hit off the cross bar. This time, it went in and was an excellent shot.”
With 68 seconds left on the clock, Gatesville was able to extend the match by recording its lone goal of regulation.
“We’ve been battling that the entire season, conceding late goals,” Westerman said. “It’s frustrating and it’s hard, and it’s more adversity we’re having to face. But once you concede it you have to respond and the boys were able to do that tonight and take care of the rest of the match.”
Regarding picking up a win on Senior Night, Westerman said, “It’s a phenomenal group of seniors. Thirteen guys, different kids of players, different levels of athletes, just a great group of guys. I love these boys to death and so glad we could put on a performance and through the ups and downs, be able to come out on the up side of it and leave the field with a good, memorable game, especially for the seniors.”
Despite the Lions’ win, Brownwood was eliminated from postseason contention with a 2-0 victory by Lampasas (10-9-3, 6-6) over Little River Academy Friday night. The Lions visit Little River Academy at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the final game of the season.
