Grace Community's Lexey Price takes a shot on goal during Tuesday's TAPPS playoff game. (Clint Jones/Freelance)

The two-time defending state champion finally lost a playoff game.

Grace Community freshman Lexye Price scored four goals as the Lady Cougars stormed past Bullard Brook Hill 6-0 in the TAPPS Division II area playoffs on Tuesday at Clyde-Perkins Stadium.

The Lady Cougars (20-2-1) advance to face Fort Worth Southwest Christian in a regional playoff at a time and date to be determined. The winner advances to the state tournament.

Grace coach Mitch Smith said it was his team’s best game of the year.

“It was definitely a great performance all the way around, defensively, midfield and going forward,” Smith said.

Grace led 2-0 at halftime before scoring four goals in the 20 minutes of the second half. Freshman goalie Rylan Wright was in goal for the shutout.

Sophie-Claire Rook and Allie McCracken both had a goal and two assists for the Lady Cougars. Price also had an assist.

The Lady Guard had won two state titles in Division III but graduated most of that roster before this season.

“It’s always exciting to play them; I think (Brook Hill coach) David Collins has got a great team over there,” Smith said.

 

Lee boys soccer blanks Naaman Forest, 2-0

Robert E. Lee closed out the first half of district play with a 2-0 victory over Naaman Forest Tuesday at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

The win pushes the Red Raiders (6-1, 16 points) within two points of District 11-6A leading North Garland.

REL got a goal in the first half off a penalty kick from Eric Munoz. The Red Raiders doubled their lead in the second half on a goal from Omar Betancourt off a pass from Munoz. REL keeper Daniel Abarca got the clean sheet, and coach Marty Germany said Abarca earned his shutout.

“He had to make a couple of difficult saves on some breakdowns we had (defensively),” Germany said. “We are giving the ball away too easily right now and putting ourselves under pressure.

“But we are happy to get all three points and with our record, but not satisfied with the way we are playing. We need to clean up some things for the second half of district.”

Lee begins the second half of league play on Friday at home at Garland Sachse. The game is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. at TMF Rose Stadium.

 

Lee girls soccer defeats Naaman Forest in PK shootout

The Lady Raiders made all five of their penalty shootout attempts with Naaman Forest missing over the crossbar with one in a 5-4 shootout win Tuesday at Red Raider Field.

The teams were tied 0-0 at the end of the regulation.

Lee’s Yelsi Rosales, Adrianna Perez, Jazmine Navarro, Adai Urieta and Hailey Hurst made their spot kicks. Lauren Nichols was in net for the Lady Raiders.

The PK win moves REL (5-2, 11 points) into fourth place all alone in the 11-6A standings.

“We were giving up goals early and now we have had some clean sheets, so that is a good sign,” said Lee coach Chris Woodard.

The Lady Raiders next host Sachse at 7:15 p.m. Friday at Lee High School’s Red Raider Field.

 

Cougars cruise into regional final

WACO — Senior Kyle Eli had a hat trick and the Grace Community Cougars scored a 3-0 win over Austin St. Dominic Savio in a TAPPS Division II regional semifinal soccer match.

The Cougars will play in the regional final against either Dallas Christian or Grapevine Faith.

Eli’s first goal came off a crossing pass from senior James Moore. That gave Grace a 1-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, junior Cristian Hooper passed the ball back to Eli who sent a 35-yard shot looping into the far corner over the keeper’s hand for a 2-0 lead. Near the end of regulation, Eli scored his third goal after a shoulder pass from junior Carter Schultz across the box.

Senior goalkeeper Gerald Gray had a clean sheet with several outstanding saves including a penalty kick save.

“Defense was the key tonight,” Grace coach Corey Hooper said. “Our guys played rock solid defense and that was the key to us winning this tough match.”

 

Jacksonville rallies past JT, 2-1

JACKSONVILLE — For the second time in as many games, John Tyler scored early but couldn’t hang on in a 2-1 loss, this time to Jacksonville on Tuesday night.

A Fredy Hernandez pass put Aaron Ibarra in behind the Indians defense where he slotted home to the far corner from an acute angle to put the Lions up 1-0 in the first 10 minutes.

After JT (7-4-4, 2-2-1 District 16-5A) failed to convert on opportunities in the first half, Jacksonville rallied with two goals in the final 15 minutes, taking advantage of defensive miscues both times, JT coach Howard Story said.

“To drop back to back games, especially to drop a game you’ve been leading, was hard,” Story said.

 

Lady Lions blank Maidens, 2-0

John Tyler won its third match in four games with a 2-0 shutout of Jacksonville at Lions Field on Tuesday.

The Lady Lions (6-5-2, 3-1-1 District 16-5A) went on top through a goal by Oralia Arzalus, who was set up by Jolenne Calleja.

Mary Cornelio then made it 2-0 on an assist from Esperanza Zavaleta.

“I was happy to see us play like a team, working hard, recovering the ball and creating opportunities,” JT coach Pakaal Mendoza said.

The Lady Lions JV squad also won, 1-0.

John Tyler finishes the first half of district play on Friday with a road test at Lufkin at 6 p.m. Friday.