By Moses Leos III
Goals were plentiful for the Hays Lady Rebels on Friday as they cruised to a convincing 7-0 win over the Akins Lady Eagles at Shelton Stadium.
For head coach Brent Holcomb, keeping the momentum will be a crucial point to work on.
“I think the girls are want to win more, especially now are going to against the second round [of district play],” Holcomb said. “They are getting excited for the second half.”
Hays took a 2-0 lead off of goals from Gaitan and junior Kayla Humphries. A third goal was added at the 38th minute via a set piece. Hays Lady Rebel Gabi Elsner capitalized on a corner kick, heading the ball into the upper 90 to give Hays a 3-0 lead.
Cowher and the offense struck again less than a minute later. Off a run down the flank, Cowher found open space and snuck a goal past the goalkeeper for a 4-0 lead that held at halftime.
Gaitan said getting into a flow offensively allowed the Lady Rebel offense to exploit Akins’ undermanned defense.
Holcomb said the team maintained numbers while on the attack; something he said they have been working on. He was encouraged by their ability to “keep up with each other.”
Cowher attributed the team’s offensive success to stepping into Akins defenders and winning balls. In turn, it allowed the team to combine passes, creating runs, primarily along the flank.
The Lady Rebels continued their onslaught into the second half. Cowher began in the 66th minute by blasting home her second goal; a shot that zipped past the Akins goalkeeper.
Gaitan followed minutes later by scoring her second goal of the match; it gave Hays a commanding 6-0 lead.
Attacking the midfield became the tactic in the second half for Hays. Cowher said the team “didn’t have enough work in the midfield” in the first half.
Hays’ Nicole Lewis tallied the final goal late in the match to put the game away.
For Gaitan, the win was a “confidence booster” as they head into the second half of district play.
Getting off to a faster start will be the key for Holcomb.
“It’s so we have momentum and not letting the momentum slip away when things do to well early,” he said. “And having the confidence to know we can hang with Austin and Bowie and that we belong in this district.”
