Lady Leps Clinch Soccer Playoff Spot, LG Boys Can Join Them with a Win Monday

La Grange Lady Leps Varsity Soccer put its spring break on hold Monday to secure a gritty 1-0 victory over the Giddings Lady Buffs at Leopard Stadium. The win marks a season sweep of its rivals and locks up the Lady Leps’ position for the playoffs. The Lady Leps have won 14 of their last 17 matches and improved to 12-3 in district play.

The game’s lone goal arrived with eight minutes left in the first half, sparked by sophomore Melanie Cruz. After her through ball was deflected out of bounds, Cruz delivered a throw-in that forced a corner kick. Senior captain Trinity Yanis then executed a perfect corner, placing the ball directly in front of the net for her sister, freshman Kayden Yanis, who buried the finish for the game’s only score.

It was an “all-hands-ondeck” effort to preserve the win. Key contributions on the back line came from the Yanis sisters, senior captain Kaylee Soto, senior Jaley Stork and freshman Eliza Luna. Senior captain and goalkeeper Hope Michalke earned the clean sheet - her eighth in the last 17 games - shutting out Giddings for the second time this season.

In the earlier match, the Lady Leps JV fell to Giddings 2-0. Despite the loss, the JV squad concludes their season with two wins and two ties, marking a significant step forward and a vast improvement over the JV’s last two seasons.

The Lady Leps Varsity has one final district match before the postseason begins – versus Smithville at Leopard Stadium on Monday, March 16. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m. It is Senior Night for both the Leopards Boys and Lady Leps Girls Soccer programs. The community is encouraged to come out and honor this year’s graduating class.

The playoffs commence Thursday, March 19, with the Lady Leps facing Waco Robinson, tentatively set for 5:30 p.m. at Hutto High School.

24-4A Girls Soccer Salado 15-0 Taylor 12-3 La Grange 12-3 Giddings 10-5 Manor NT 6-7 Rockdale 3-9 Caldwell 3-13 Cameron 2-12

The La Grange boys soccer team lost to Giddings on the road Monday 2-1. Jeffrey Cabrera scored the only goal for the Leps, off an assist from Aldo Hernandez.

The loss drops the Leps to 13-8 overall 9-6 in district and into a three-way tie for third.

The Leps play their final regular season match of the year Monday at 5:15 p.m. The La Grange boys will clinch a playoff berth with a victory.

24-4A Boys Soccer Salado 15-0 Manor NT 11-3 La Grange 9-6 Giddings 9-6 Rockdale 9-6 Taylor 8-7 Cameron 4-10 Smithville 1-13 Caldwell 0-15