By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s first girls soccer playoff game at home didn’t end the way the team would have liked.
The Queens saw their season come to an end Saturday afternoon, as they were shutout by the San Antonio O’Connor Lady Panthers, 5-0, in the Bi-District round of the Class 6A Girls Soccer Playoffs.
Del Rio finishes its season 15-7. O’Connor advances to face Weslaco in the Area round.
While Del Rio finished second in 30-6A and O’Connor finished third in 29-6A, it was the Lady Panthers who came out as the aggressors. O’Connor used its speed and size to cut the field in half and control the ball for much of the first half.
While the Lady Panthers were able to put the pressure on Del Rio, Queens defenders rose to the task and kept O’Connor out of the goal for much of the first half. When goalie Daniela Quintero was caught out of position, defender Xitlali Guadalajara was able to get her body in the way of an O’Connor shot and deflect it away.
But Del Rio’s defense could bend only so long as the Lady Panthers were able to take a corner kick and deposited the ball in front of the goalmouth. In the scramble that ensued, the Lady Panthers were able to push the ball into the lower left of the net for a 1-0 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the first half.
Things got worse for the Queens as Giselle Castañeda had to leave the game due to an injury with about nine and a half minutes left in the half. She would return in the second half.
Del Rio tried to make a run late in the half. Kaylee Hernandez was able to break loose and made a strong run up the near side of the field, but when she tried to center the ball, her pass went off target and the scoring chance disappeared.
The Queens didn’t get many chances at the O’Connor net. Del Rio attempted only five shots on goal for the match, but none seemed a threat to put a mark in the Queens’ scoring column.
In the second half, O’Connor piled on to its lead.
The Lady Panthers scored their second goal less than three minutes into the second half. Less than two minutes later, O’Connor struck again to make it 3-0 and the rout was on.
O’Connor would tack on two more goals late in the contest to make the final 5-0.
Malia Dominguez, Gabriella Gallegos, Ella Hammonds, Abigail Castro and Sadie Herrera were credited with O’Connor’s goals.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
