It’s Soccer Playoff Time for Veteran LG Teams
It’s playoff time for La Grange soccer and this week is an especially do-or-die time for the Leps and Lady Leps.
That’s because both squads are very senior-heavy with 10 seniors on the La Grange girls teams and 11 on the La Grange boys team.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling. We’ve put so much effort into this and we have so many seniors,” said Dulce Merlos, one of two senior captains on the Lady Leps, along with Ellee Sodolak.
“Your seniors set the tone for your program and these girls have done a really good job of it,” said La Grange girls coach Lauren Hubbert.
“This was a group we looked forward to for a long time and we really had high expectations coming into the season,” said boys head coach William McGonagle.
“Part of being a senior is showing the younger guys what their role is and being a role model ourselves,” said Leps senior Ricky Ramirez.
The regular seasons really tested both teams.
The La Grange girls (117), after some early season struggles, surged to a 8-3 district record to grab the runnerup spot in 24-4A behind Giddings.
“That was a win in my book,” said Hubbert.
Meanwhile, the La Grange boys are 11-8-2 overall and were 7-5 in district to grab the third place spot behind district champ Taylor and runner-up Manor New Tech.
But the Leps finished the regular season strong, winning six of their final eight games.
“We had a rough patch there towards the end of nondistrict play and the start of district play, but we’re still getting better as we head toward the playoffs,” McGonagle said. “We got humbled a little, but like a good senior team does, we bounced back.”
But how long those seniors’ soccer careers continue at LHS will be determined by how long they can keep winning.
The Leps start the playoffs first, with a playoff match at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in Pflugerville against Lorena (18-5), the runner-up from District 23-4A.
“They are athletic. If we keep our foot on the gas and keep the pressure up, we can have some success,” McGonagle said.
The La Grange girls play Waco Robinson (14-5) at 5 p.m. Friday, March 24, in Lake Belton.
Defense will be a key for the Lady Leps, who thrived in district thanks to eight shutouts from senior goalie Hailee Burns.
“Communication will be key,” Merlos said. “Every opportunity we have at the goal, we have to take.”
Battle-tested through a tough regular season, both La Grange teams are ready for the postseason.
“This season helped us to become a better team and really got us ready for the playoffs,” Ramirez said.