(Brownsville, Texas)-“I almost had it,” said a teary-eyed goalie, Allison Tawil, from McAllen as the Smithson Valley Lady Rangers defeated the Lady Bulldogs 1-0.
It was the second penalty shot that the Lady Rangers attempted with 2:35 left to play after a push from behind on Wrilyn Shippey. She took one step from 35-yards out and the shot was perfect, it was blocked, Tawil had it, and it slipped away. “This one hurts,” added the McAllen sophomore player. “This is one really hurts.”
Throughout the day, both teams played outstanding. The Lady Bulldogs kept attacking the Lady Rangers. “This is what the playoffs are all about. I’m so proud of team and we just fell short,” said McAllen head coach, Pat Arney.
Tawil was tossed and turned throughout the game with one save after another. She blocked her first penalty kick with 34:00 minutes left to play as she reached opposite for the block, sending McAllen fans into a shouting, cheering, frenzy. “She played outstanding,” said Arney. “I’m proud of her.”
The Lady Rangers will be headed to their first University Interscholastic League State 5A Championship next week at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas while the Lady Bulldogs finished as 5A Regional Finalists.
McAllen eliminated by Smithson Valley 1-0 in the Class 5A Region IV Girls Soccer Championships at the Brownsville Sports Park. (HSSMImages/GabeDeLeon)