Perhaps not the performance head coach Alexis Walker was looking for, the Brownwood Lady Lions still managed to chalk up a 2-1 season-opening victory over the Waco La Vega Lady Pirates Tuesday afternoon in soggy conditions at Gordon Wood Stadium.
With the game tied at 1 with 15:21 remaining, Lady Lion Mariah Young maneuvered her way through the La Vega defense and fired off the game-winning shot from 25 yards out on the right side, finding the bottom left corner of the net.
“I don’t think it was the prettiest game but it was our first win and we have a lot of soccer to play this weekend,” Walker said. “We’re ready to get healthy and back on the field on Thursday.”
Regarding Young’s decisive goal, Walker added, “Mariah’s very physical in the attack and plays well with the ball at her feet. Big moments like that, she did it exactly the same last year in a big win over Burnet. I can rely on her in big moments and I’m glad that we have her. She’s going to do great things for us this season.”
Playing without leading returning scorer from a year ago Molly Oliver, who is recovering from a broken elbow, the Lady Lions scored just 5:03 into the season opener as Braycee Lee assisted Adrianna Allen on her first varsity goal 5 yards in front of the net.
“Adrianna’s a junior, this is her first year starting and that goal is huge for her,” Walker said. “I’m excited to see how she works in that position.”
Following the opening goal, the Lady Lions offense struggled to find a rhythm in what was often times a driving rain.
“We came out very strong, even with some nervous jitters,” Walker said. “I always tell them to set the tone in the first five minutes and they did that, but they got a little lax and we can’t do that in a big game.”
La Vega drew even at 1 with 11:36 left in the first half due to some miscommunication that resulted in a collision on the Lady Lions back row that involved goal keeper Noemi Ceniceros.
“The goal we conceded, we have to do a better job of communicating,” Walker said. “The girls fully trust our goalie and she’s done phenomenal, but we have to communicate in the defensive end. That’s our strong suit but we have to get some kinks worked out.”
The Lady Lions will next take part in the Alvarado tournament Thursday through Saturday. Brownwood battles Lubbock Estacado at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Wichita Falls at 8 a.m. Friday and Terrell at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
