Leps Varsity Soccer Teams Sweeps Rockdale Tuesday
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La Grange’s Jared Hernandez, left, fights for control of the ball in Tuesday’s match. Photo by Jeff Wick
The La Grange boys varsity soccer team grabbed an important 1-0 win over Rockdale at home Tuesday. The winning goal was a header by Jeffrey Cabrera off a cross from Raul Mancera. Goalie Ramon Ortiz had a big game for the Leps, who improved to 13-6 overall and 9-4 in district. The win allowed the Leps to stay in third place in the district standings.
Lady Leps Win 2-0
The La Grange Lady Leps Varsity Soccer team secured a 2-0 road victory against the Rockdale Lady Tigers on Tuesday. With the win, the Lady Leps Varsity has won 12 of its last 15 matches and is 10-3 in district play. Capitalizing on a favorable wind in the first half, the Lady Leps took control early. At 4 minutes into the match, freshman Lily Banks found the back of the net in a crowded box following coordinated play by all 3 Lady Lep forwards. Then, 22 minutes later, senior captain Kaylee Soto delivered a precision through pass down the left sideline, setting up Banks for a 2nd goal.
Following a halftime commitment to team defense, the Lady Leps were able to stifle the Lady Tiger offense for the remaining 40 minutes of the game. A defining moment came with 22 minutes left in the game – when senior captain and goalkeeper Hope Michalke went top shelf to make a spectacular save on a Rockdale direct free kick, pushing the upper-corner near post shot away from the net. A true team performance earned the Lady Leps Varsity its 7th shutout in 15 games.
In earlier action, the Lady Leps JV team also found success in Rockdale, securing a 1-0 win. Freshman Liliana Lopez scored the lone goal less than 9 minutes into the match, assisted by sophomore Daniela Villeda. Sophomore Metzi Jaramillo earned a clean sheet in her first-ever appearance as goalkeeper. After 2 winless and scoreless seasons in 2024 and 2025, the JV team boasts 2 wins and 2 ties in its 2026 district campaign.
The Lady Leps JV and Varsity Soccer teams return home to play Manor NewTech on Friday, March 6. JV kicks off at 5:15 p.m. and Varsity kicks off at 7:15 p.m. Friday is Youth Soccer Night at Leopard Stadium. Young Leopards wearing a soccer uniform get into the Lady Leps game for free on Friday and can come down onto the field between the JV and Varsity games and at halftime of the Varsity game for festivities.