Lady Leps Find a New Way to Win
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The five La Grange girls soccer players who were sent out for penalty kicks Friday react towards the sideline after they won. Front row, left to right – Kaylee Soto (who had a goal in regulation and then scored her PK) and Riley Lowe (who scored the game-winning PK). Back row, Michelle Leal (who didn’t need to kick because the Leps were already up 3-0), Trinity Yanis (who scored on her PK) and Florencia Barron. Photo by Jeff Wick -
Ewalany Gonzalez makes a diving stop of a Rockdale penalty kick to help preserve the win for the Lady Leps Friday. Photo by Jeff Wick
Ewalany Gonzalez had never played a game at goalie on varsity for the La Grange girls soccer team.
Riley Lowe had never made a varsity goal.
Both girls made huge plays in new roles, and it helped vault the Lady Leps to a big penalty-kick victory over Rockdale Friday.
Kaylee Soto’s goal and Gonzalez’ defense at goalie helped La Grange to a 1-1 tie after regulation Friday.
Then in the penalty kick shootout, goals by Kaylee Soto and Trinity Yanis put La Grange up 2-0, and after a save by Gonzalez, Lowe kicked in the clincher to touch off a huge celebration at midfield by the Lady Leps as they won 3-0 on PKs and improved to 3-2 in district play.
“We needed this,” said La Grange head coach Lauren Hubbert, whose team lost to Rockdale last year in a penalty kick shootout that took 13 attempts before a winner was crowned. “Penalty kicks aren’t always fun, but they are a part of the game, and it’s nice to be on this side of things.”
Gonzalez, a junior, was elevated to the goalie role because usual starter Hope Michalke was swimming at regionals.
“Hope was making a name for herself in the swimming pool today and we are super proud of her and super supportive of her,” Hubbert said. “Ewalany stepped up and ran with it. She communicates very well, really commands her teammates well out there.”
Ewalany was smiling big as her teammates congratulated her after the win.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve been practicing every day and it showed.”
The Lady Leps host Manor New Tech Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.