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Under first-year head coach Benjamin Henry, the Cleburne Lady Jackets pulled off the upset 2-1 win over Paschal Friday night in the 5A-Div. I bi-district round.
They advance to the area round for another tough matchup versus the Birdville Lady Hawks Tuesday night at Crowley ISD Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
Cleburne came into the first round contest as third place finishers in District 8-5A against a Lady Panthers team who dropped only one district game in their co-7-5A title season.
Arissa Turner said the team embraced the underdog role against a highly-competitive opponent and had nothing to lose.
In the opening minutes of the game, Turner found open space and floated one past the keeper from 40 yards out to put the Lady Jackets ahead early.
Although surprised by her long-range strike, the junior midfielder had a good feeling about it from the start.
"I could feel like it was gonna be a good shot," said Turner. "When you kick that ball, you just feel it."
Closing in on the end of the first half, the Lady Jackets added insurance when forward Zyri Ellison was hit in stride on a run and finished for Cleburne's second goal.
A minute later, the Lady Panthers responded with their first goal of the night.
The second half continued Cleburne's aggressive offensive play and ball control until starting keeper, Kira Pradarits, was subbed out after taking a cleat to the ear.
Lilli Scott took responsibility of protecting the net and helped the Lady Jackets survive in the final minutes with two critical saves.
"Suck it up buttercup. It is what it is," said Henry on his program's injuries battling through Paschal's depth. "They (Cleburne) looked exhausted but the kept giving everything and they fought. This time of year, that's what it's about."
Henry understood that many players weren't used to the playoff battles as this was Cleburne's first postseason appearance since 2021. When he arrived in June 2024, he wanted to instill a sense of discipline.
Turner's key word for her experience so far this year was discipline and how Henry's different views of the game have propelled them to a bi-district championship.
Henry told the Lady Jackets after the win that nothing changes and wants them to not let the surroundings affect their play, especially heading into the Birdville game.
Knowing that they're coming in as the underdogs once again, Turner believes Cleburne can make it far as long as they keep its heads up and push forward.
The Lady Hawks stunned the Aledo Ladycats in round one after coming out on top of a penalty shootout, 3-2.
Continue reading...
They advance to the area round for another tough matchup versus the Birdville Lady Hawks Tuesday night at Crowley ISD Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
Cleburne came into the first round contest as third place finishers in District 8-5A against a Lady Panthers team who dropped only one district game in their co-7-5A title season.
Arissa Turner said the team embraced the underdog role against a highly-competitive opponent and had nothing to lose.
In the opening minutes of the game, Turner found open space and floated one past the keeper from 40 yards out to put the Lady Jackets ahead early.
Although surprised by her long-range strike, the junior midfielder had a good feeling about it from the start.
"I could feel like it was gonna be a good shot," said Turner. "When you kick that ball, you just feel it."
Closing in on the end of the first half, the Lady Jackets added insurance when forward Zyri Ellison was hit in stride on a run and finished for Cleburne's second goal.
A minute later, the Lady Panthers responded with their first goal of the night.
The second half continued Cleburne's aggressive offensive play and ball control until starting keeper, Kira Pradarits, was subbed out after taking a cleat to the ear.
Lilli Scott took responsibility of protecting the net and helped the Lady Jackets survive in the final minutes with two critical saves.
"Suck it up buttercup. It is what it is," said Henry on his program's injuries battling through Paschal's depth. "They (Cleburne) looked exhausted but the kept giving everything and they fought. This time of year, that's what it's about."
Henry understood that many players weren't used to the playoff battles as this was Cleburne's first postseason appearance since 2021. When he arrived in June 2024, he wanted to instill a sense of discipline.
Turner's key word for her experience so far this year was discipline and how Henry's different views of the game have propelled them to a bi-district championship.
Henry told the Lady Jackets after the win that nothing changes and wants them to not let the surroundings affect their play, especially heading into the Birdville game.
Knowing that they're coming in as the underdogs once again, Turner believes Cleburne can make it far as long as they keep its heads up and push forward.
The Lady Hawks stunned the Aledo Ladycats in round one after coming out on top of a penalty shootout, 3-2.
Continue reading...
