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Twice as nice: Sachse girls knock off Rowlett for second time to move into first in 11-5A
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
The rivalry between Sachse and Rowlett itself is usually enough to produce an exciting game.
Throw in the added drama that comes with both being perennial district title contenders, and these head-to-head battles are always among the top 11-5A matches of the year.
That was one again the case on Tuesday, as the Mustangs and Eagles went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes. It was a near stalemate and overtime seemed a distinct possibility until Natalie Calhoun collected a loose ball and turned it into the game's lone score as Sachse emerged with a 1-0 victory at Homer B. Johnson Stadium.
"It was a great game," Sachse head coach Kristen Campbell said. "The girls had been preparing for this game all week, Rowlett is a big rival and they really wanted this one."
While there was only one score, both teams had their chances. The Eagles were strong in the first half, but had three good chances sail just high of the goal.
Sachse goalkeeper Haley Lyon handled most of the rest of the chances, and the one time she was caught out of position, Calhoun was there to provide the defensive play of the game, clearing the ball to prevent the score.
The Mustangs were having an equally difficult time solving the Rowlett defense, but they turned up the pressure as the game progressed. With time winding down, the Eagles were unable to clear a corner kick and Calhoun made them pay with the game-winner with just four minutes left.
"I think they were looking forward to this game so much, they put too much pressure on themselves early on," Campbell said. "We calmed down in the second half and were able to play much better."
This marked Sachse's second win of the 11-5A season over Rowlett after having won the earlier meeting, 1-0, in a shootout. The Eagles are averaging 4.3 goals per game against the rest of the district but are scoreless in two games against the Mustangs.
"It is an interesting dynamic with Rowlett," Campbell said. "A lot of the girls play club together so they all know each other so well. I have a lot of seniors on defense and they have seen Rowlett so many times that they know what they are up against.
"Tori (Hendrickson) and Natalie are my two best defenders and they played great tonight. It is just having the right personnel in the right place."
Many times during the past decade, a head-to-head sweep of Rowlett would be enough to give the Mustangs the edge they need in the district race. But Garland and Naaman Forest have hung right with the traditional heavyweights.
The Owls, who were idle on Tuesday, are tied for second place with the Eagles, while the Rangers (5-2) were poised to join them pending their game against North Garland.
"I try to watch the other teams early on, but you never know what to expect," Campbell said. "Naaman Forest was a little down last year, but they are much better and Garland always worries me because they always play us tough, but I think it is good. Playing better competition in the regular season, or in district, will help us when it is time for the playoffs."
The 11-5A teams will have some time off during Spring Break next week, but there is still work to be done on Friday and it is another big one for the Mustangs, who will put first place on the line against Garland at 4 p.m. at Homer B. Johnson Stadium.
The Owls won the first meeting, but Sachse believes it is a different team now, and they are hoping that yields a different result going into the break.
"I feel like at the end of last week, our kids put things in perspective," Campbell said. "There is a lot our team wants to accomplish, but now is the time we need to step up. Every team wants to win district, and obviously that is one of our goals, but if we are going to be successful, we just need to continue to come together and continue to improve and I think that will be the most important thing for the stretch run."
Follow Devin Hasson on Twitter: @DevinHasson
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