Lady Leps Soccer Has Successful Week

The La Grange girls soccer team had a really, really impressive week, led by a freshman who is racking up a lot of goals.

The Lady Leps went to Rice Consolidated Tuesday and won 5-0 as freshman Lily Banks scored four goals and another freshman, Raylee Gutierrez, scored one goal.

La Grange goalie Hope Michalke recorded a complete game shutout in that match.

Then Friday the Lady Leps hosted Palacios and won 4-0. On offense, freshman Lily Banks recorded a hat trick (three goals) and senior Miriam Lopez scored a goal. The defense, led by senior central defender Trinity Yanis and senior goalkeeper Hope Michalke, secured its second consecutive shutout.

“We are a work in progress,” said La Grange head coach Barry Donovan. “We have a lot of youth on the team. Today we had 18 players and seven are ninth graders. We have a mix of senior leadership, seven seniors, and those seven ninth graders, but everybody seems to be contributing, and that’s what I like to see most.”

If you are keeping track, that’s an amazing seven goals in two matches for Banks last week.

“This has been fun. It’s my first year in public school,” said Banks, who has been playing soccer since she was three years old.

“Lily plays soccer year around, she’s passionate about soccer as are some of the other girls, she has an ability to anchor the middle of the field. She has an ability to shoot from distance – and she’s been able to connect,” said Donovan.

The Lady Leps have concluded non-district play, going 2-0. The Lady Leps begin district competition this Tuesday, Jan. 13, on the road against Taylor. The team will return home Friday, Jan. 16, to host Cameron Yoe.

Coming Friday, a look at the Lady Leps’ four senior co-captains.