Mallory Hale with the ball at the first playoff game. Photo by Jeff Bargas.
The Lady Wildcats pulled off a stunning upset of Waco Midway in Midlothian Thursday night to advance to the third round of the playoffs. A goal by junior Mallory Hale early in the first half and dogged defense by the entire team to keep Midway scoreless led to the Cats’ celebration at the final whistle.
Lake Highlands will play Sachse at Williams Stadium in Garland Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Region II quarterfinal game.
Despite their youth (Olga Delgadillo is the team’s only senior) and inexperience (the team lost in the first round last year and failed to make the cut the year before), players say they’re ready.
“We know what is at stake and we know what we have to do to get the job done,” says sophomore Riley Smith. “What we lack in experience, we make up for in spirit. We have a team who will fight for the people that they are playing with, and that is the best thing a teammate could ask for. I think all the trials that we have gone through these past few years have prepared us for this.”
“Playoff games have a different level of intensity,” says Riley. “You know that you must win or you are finished, and no one wants to be finished. You have to go onto the field and leave everything there.”
Though Riley feels a special bond with the girls on the team, one is special – junior Tanner Smith.
“I have wanted to play soccer with my sister since I started playing soccer at the age of 5. I am truly blessed that I get to have her by my side in this journey. Sometimes it might seem like a little too much because we are always with each other, but if we fight we just get over it because we know the team doesn’t need that drama.”
“Not only am I able to play with my sister,” continues Riley, “but God has blessed me with 24 other amazing, wonderful sisters. I couldn’t dream of doing this without them, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. I cannot wait to continue this journey and see what happens on Tuesday and in the next year.”
Riley and Tanner Smith
