The Lady Texans concluded a successful February facing Canyon Lake and Fredericksburg High Schools before moving toward the last four games of the regular season with momentum behind a three-game winning streak.
The team made their way to Garden Ridge, squaring up with Davenport High School last Tuesday, Feb. 27. A win would put them in the driver’s seat for second place in district and build an impetus toward their March 7 date in Boerne to take on the district-leading Greyhounds.
Davenport presents a unique challenge. They have similar personnel and play a similar style to Coach Eric Nichols’ team. They also bring an added intensity stemming out of revenge from last year’s losses. The Lady Texans beat Davenport in the regional semi-finals of the 2022 playoffs in a double-overtime thriller held in Wimberley and handed the Wolves a 2-0 loss at Texan Stadium in the district finale — a game cut short with 17 minutes left in the final period due to lightning.
That pent-up matter came to town and started out fast with the Wolves scoring in the seventh minute to lead 1-0. The Lady Texans battled back for the next 11 minutes, with Jordin Donaldson putting the tying score in net with an assist from Izzy Franchione at the 18:40 mark of the first half. The score remained 1-1 at halftime.
“Most of the goals we’ve allowed have happened in the first 15, maybe 20 minutes. We’ve talked about both Alamo Heights and Boerne games earlier in the season. The same thing happened this Tuesday,” shared Nichols. “We gave up an early goal to Davenport like we did the first time we played them and have to work from behind. We’ve got to have better intensity to start and throughout the entire game.”
The Lady Texans went ahead 2-1 off of another Franchione assist, this time to Ella Sandoval. They held the lead for another 18 minutes until Davenport was able to get into the Wimberley end and tie the match.
“We’re learning that we’ve got to do a better job starting games and finishing games. We’re giving up early goals and late goals that happen in the last five or six minutes,” said Nichols.
The late goal came with less than 10 minutes left in the contest and would be the last goal of the night. The Wolves walked away with the 3-2 win and sole possession of second place in district.
The loss broke the string for the Lady Texans who looked to get healthy and secure third spot in district Friday night in Wimberley for Senior Night hosting Bandera’s Bulldogs.
The start was slow but consistent. Most of the match play took place in Bandera’s end of the field. Numerous shots floated over the goal or solidly struck posts as Nichols’ team passed efficiently and quickly in Bulldog territory. In the sixteenth minute, a shot found the net and the team was on their way. The ladies added three more in the half and led 4-0 at the midway point.
In this inaugural season, Nichols has often spoken about intensity, focus, effort and playing a full 80 minute game. There have been blowouts and close wins, but none have been the full 80.
“They’ll know it when it happens because it will feel like they’re in a zone where no one can stand against them,” commented Nichols. “We needed to diversify our scoring. We’re not getting crosses in. We’re not getting the back post 22-246300-CTC covered. So those are the things we’ve been missing.” “Tonight, we got it and scored some really nice goals including some awesome crosses,” he added. “That shows we’re getting there and took steps forward tonight.”
Ella Sandoval — who scored three goals against Bandera — agreed with her coach and gave analytical feedback.
“We started off pretty good, but I felt we needed to slow down just a little,” she explained. “We play best when we slow it down, take possession, take our time and trust our teammates. That’s what we’ve been struggling on. But tonight we worked on it. I think it’ll carry it into the harder games ahead.”
Leading 4-0 at half, the Lady Texans would not let up. Their defensive intensity and focus to keep the ball out of their own end was matched by the offensive pressure and push to keep stressing the Bulldog defense. The effort was rewarded with goals at the 55, 64, 66 and 76 minute marks in the second period bringing the final score to 8-0.
“When we played over there, it was 1-0 at halftime. This time wasn’t close. We’ve really been combining better, executing our passes and cleaning things up. We made a lot of progress since then,” Jordin Donaldson said. “We have Care Refresh_Print our moments where we struggle, but I think throughout the season, we’ve improved a lot and against teams like this, we can really see our strengths and work on our weaknesses. I’m ready to get that fire going to improve and see what comes next but tonight, I’m really proud of all of us.”
Sandoval scored three while her sister Lillie put two in the net. Donaldson, Haley Lopez, and Natalie Figueroa each notched a goal.
Celebrating the seniors was a significant moment for the team. The upperclassmen have been on-field leaders and mentors setting the example for a host of freshmen and sophomores making up the Lady Texan soccer team. Those seniors — Natalie Figueroa, Izzy Frank, Selah Jones, Maggie Leonard, Emily Thames and Claire Valentine — made their way onto the pitch with family members and friends prior to the match. As poignant as the moment was, it sets the stage for the team to commit to a deep playoff run to honor each other and their seasons together.
Izzy Frank shared a senior insight on the Lady Texan season. “Tonight was a really good night for us,” she said. “We didn’t have a good game against Davenport but this game will bring up our spirits. We got back to basics, relearned QtrPg 5.417x10.5_FINAL
some things, and relaxed and actually had a fun soccer game.”
“I’m excited about the playoffs and have all the confidence in this team,” Frank continued. “We have good, talented individuals and we make an awesome team. It’s time to step up and dominate.”
When asked about what stood out for her, Frank was frank. “Relationships. Natalie (Figueroa) is one of my closest friends,” she answered. “She’s the most consistently amazing player on the team. Her friendship, her play and her commitment to the team always stands out.”
Those sentiments are shared by a team growing closer through trial, learning to play together under a new system while recognizing the success of the scheme.
“There are times when we turn off the switch. When we turn that switch on, we can play with anybody. That’s what we talk about asa team. The only team that can beat us is ourselves” expressed Nichols. “When we’ve lost or tied games, it’s because of us. We know what we can do and we’re on the right foot. I think tonight was very good for us to gather ourselves and prepare for the next week.”
The final regular season week began Tuesday at Boerne High School and concludes Friday, March 10 at 6 p.m. versus the Great Hearts Northern Oaks Griffins in San Antonio.
The Lady Texans will finish alone in third place for bi-district playoff seeding.
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