LA GRANGE — Lady Leopards soccer had an impressive game against a really good Giddings team Feb. 7 at Leopards Field in La Grange and even had a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Giddings found ways to create offense and put the ball in the net in the second half in order to win the game by a final score of 2-1. "I will say I think we played some of the best soccer that we have played all season in that first half," said La Grange head girl's soccer coach Lauren Hubbert. "I think we did such a good job of it that we gassed our - selves out a little bit in the second half. Fitness is something that we've struggled with all season long. It's a common denomina - tor across all of our games that we've played so far. We talked a couple weeks ago about find - ing our spark and finding that thing that drives us. I can say with complete confidence that they found it tonight. They went out there with so much intensity and so much passion and I think for the first time, really believed that they could contend with Gid - dings. That's not something that's been done in the past. I know the scoreboard said otherwise, but that is always going to be a win in my book. La Grange finally, in the three years that I've been here, scored a goal on them and didn't get absolutely destroyed. He's got himself a great group of girls who've played together for a really long time. Coach Simmons and I always have a good time competing against each other.
I think it's a confidence boost - er moving forward. The pride I have for them after this match is so great. I'm just absolutely so proud of their hustle and effort. I'm thrilled to have this group of kids. They really have been working hard and it's paying off."
La Grange scored their goal at the 38:30 mark in the first half on a corner kick that had little to no deflection from the Lady Leop -
ards offense and basically went straight into the goal to take a 1-0 lead.
Giddings had the ball on the La Grange side of the field for a while after the goal, but La Grange kept their defense intact and didn't allow the Lady Buffa loes to score.
This was followed by a shot from Giddings that hit the post at the 29 minute mark and a save from La Grange two minutes af ter that.
Giddings continued to keep the ball on La Grange's side of the field for the majority of the first half with a shot on goal from the Lady Leopards mixed in, along with a near goal from Giddings from close range with five min -
utes to go.
La Grange made another nice
save at the two minute mark to close out the first half with a 1-0
lead.
The Lady Buffaloes didn't waste any time putting the pres - sure on La Grange in the second half with shots on goal at the 36 and 34 minute marks. Giddings was then able to find the net two minutes later at the 32:58 mark to tie the game 1-1. This led to a couple nice saves from La Grange and a couple more shots on goal within the next 10 to 15 minutes of the half. La Grange was able to put a shot on goal of their own with 10:40 to go that was just wide right of the net, then Giddings scored their winning goal at the 10:06 mark and kept their de -
fense sturdy for the rest of the game en route to a 2-1 win.
