Lady Dawgs add another item to program’s record books
The Burnet High School girls soccer team made history on March 29 by advancing to the Class 4A regional quarterfinals, the third round of the postseason, for the first time in program history.
The Lady Dawgs (17-7-3, 11-4 District 18-4A third place) crushed Sealy (16-6-1, 13-1 District 20-4A champion) 6-1 in the area round of the playoffs.
“Those girls walked out and they wanted that gold ball,” head coach Kimberly Myhre said. “They left a legacy for us. We get to continue it. This group has worked so hard, they competed.”
The Lady Dawgs will face Giddings in the regional quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Hutto High School, 101 FM 685 in Hutto. The Lady Buffaloes (19-0-1, 8-0 District 19-4A champions) beat Salado 2-1 in double overtime March 29. Salado was the District 19-4A runner-up in front of Burnet.
Against Sealy, the Lady Dawgs took a commanding 3-0 half-time lead that went to 6-0 before the Lady Tigers scored a late goal to prevent the shutout.
Caroline Valencia started the scoring by finding the back of the net for the first of her three goal, with an assist by Kaycie Banton. Assisting Valencia on the other two goals were Julie Suazo and Caty Crow. Two goals were scored from at least 30 feet.
In addition to her assist, Crow scored twice thanks to assists from Suazo and Lainey Rye.
“Both of them haven’t scored in a couple of weeks,” Myhre said. “They’re usually two of our top scorers. Caty scored 26 goals last season. Carolyn has taken defenders out because she can score. Other girls have stepped up. Caty was in the right spot on crosses and nailed them.”
Amelia Griffin rounded out the scoring by converting on a corner kick and was assisted by Haylie Bartlett.
Other than the late Sealy goal, which Myhre called a Burnet miscommunication, the Lady Dawgs ensured the Lady Tigers had no answer for the defense. But Sealy, who had shut out their last seven opponents, struggled to find a way to stop the Lady Dawgs. Myhre credits the preparation throughout the season for why Burnet is continuing its season.
“We’re in a really tough district,” she said. “From the minute they stepped off the bus, they were prepared. We had mentally won that game at 3-0.”
As for Giddings, Myhre said the win over Salado says plenty about the Lady Buffaloes.
“It’s going to be tough, and we’re excited,” she said. “They are a well put-together team, and we have to show up.”
By continuing onto the next round of the playoffs, this Burnet soccer team will be remembered as the first to win two playoff contests in the same season and can do what its counterparts on the volleyball and basketball hardwood accomplished — a Class 4A regional tournament berth.
“It’s so rewarding for them to leave this legacy,” she said. “I’m excited for this group. They made history. We’re proud. All our girls sports have competed. It’s exciting.”
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