Kennedale girls one win from state after scoring late goal

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By Darren Lauber

dfw.com

By Darren Lauber [email protected] Posted Friday, Apr. 10, 2015

Abigail Olmos scored two goals and assisted on the game-winner as Kennedale edged Abilene Wylie 4-3 in a Class 4A Region I semifinal Friday at Wildcat Stadium. {{more}}

Abigail Olmos, of Kennedale, and Kenzi McAdams, of Abilene Wylie fight for the ball (Photo Star Telegram))

With the game tied at three, Olmos moved in for what looked like it might be her third goal of the game. The junior midfielder dribbled 10 yards around defenders before dishing off to Abigail Key, who buried a 12-yard shot in the right corner in the 70th minute.

 

?I was about to shoot it, but I saw my teammate and gave her the shot,? said Olmos, who recorded her goals eight minutes apart ? the latter in the 57th minute that gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. ?I couldn?t have scored without my team. We play so good together, and it always comes down to trusting them.?

 

Wylie (19-4-0) opened each half with goals to put pressure on the Wildcats, but Kennedale answered each time.

 

Cara Hunt tied the game 1-1 in the 32nd minute off an assist by her sister, Daphne. Olmos? goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Key, tied the game 2-2.

 

?The girls were definitely nervous with all the fans, and you could see it there early,? said Kennedale coach Michael Strange, who said 600 students were in the stands. ?But we punched right back and told the girls that if you get knocked down you just have to get right back up.?

 

Kennedale controlled play for much of the match, leading in shots 28-8 and shots on goal 14-5.

Two of the three goals allowed by Kennedale came on free kicks within 20 yards. Kenzi McAdams scored in the fourth minute, off a perfect cross by her sister Morgan, and again in the 64th minute that tied the game at 3.

 

?We had a ton of shots, and you have to learn to finish them,? said Strange. ?Whoever we play tomorrow we?re going to have to be able to finish better than we did today, because we might not get many chances.?

 

Kennedale faces off against the #1 team in 4A Melissa this morning at 11 a.m. in Wildcat Stadium. Melissa defeated Stephenville 3-0 Friday afternoon to set up this return match of 4A powers, Earlier this season Kennedale and Melissa played to a 3-3 tie. Kennedale News