In the game of thrones, it has been a game well played by #2 Kennedale. In the past six days Kennedale has eliminated prime contenders for the singular title of best in the state, by beating three of the top five teams – #1 Melissa, #4 Abilene Wylie and #5 Boerne. This afternoon, Princeton, took care of the #3 team, previously unbeaten Jasper. {{more}}
Kennedale (23-2-2) will face a resurging Princeton team (21-2-3) in the finals of the State 2015 UIL Championship 4A Playoffs Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m in Georgetown. Tournament
information and directions
4A Semifinal: Kennedale vs Boerne 4-3 (W)
It wasn?t easy and it wasn?t always pretty but the LadyKats took a physical game from the Boerne Greyhound (23-4) by a score of 4-3 Wednesday in a state semifinal match.
The fans were there and vocal (photo by Staci Otts)
It was a perfect day, sunny with temperatures in the mid 60?s at the start of the game. Kennedale fans outnumbered their opposite and were loud and vocal throughout the game.
Boerne, knowing that they had to wrestle the ball away from the ball control LadyKats, came out fast and physical. Kennedale matched their play and the result was a combined 24 fouls (13 Kennedale and 11 Boerne).For Kennedale, Allie Thornton received a yellow card almost midway through the second half and for Boerne, Skylar Vanover, got a red card with just over two minutes left in the game, sitting Boerne?s best scoring threat for the final few minutes of the game.
In the semifinal match, Kennedale led in shots on goal 10-6. Goalkeeper Sara Vezquez recorded 4 saves while Boerne?s goalkeeper had six.
For Kennedale Allie Thornton led with 2 goals followed by one each by Abby Key and Abby Olmos. Boerne had three different players to score; Marissa Fernandez, Skylar Vanover and Taylor Drake.
In a game that Boerne never led but tied three times, the first score in the game at 17 minutes was made by Kennedale (Key). Boerne (Vanover) scored some 20 minutes later (37:05) tying the game at 1. That tie lasted only 47 seconds when Olmos for Kennedale made a goal to regain the lead for the Kats. The half ended (40 minute mark) with Kennedale on top by 2-1.
Boerne opened the second half with a tying goal by Drake in just over a minute of play. Kennedale took the lead once again (47:46 minutes) at 3-2 on a kick by Thornton. A few minutes later Boerne (Fernandez) tied the game for the final time. Thornton made what would be the winning goal for Kennedale at the 55:56 minute mark and Kennedale held on for their 14th straight win.
It?s a wrap (photo by Staci Otts)
In the other 4A semifinal game fellow North Texas representative, Princeton, defeated Jasper 4-3. This sets up a rematch of Kennedale and Princeton who played back in March with the Kats winning 2-0.
