Plano East sophomore Aliya Jacob, pictured in previous action, scored one goal in the Lady Panthers’ 3-2 loss to Keller in the Region I-6A Division I Semifinals at Brian Brazil Stadium on Friday. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media
By David Wolman
The Plano East girls soccer team attempted to force overtime, but despite.a late push, the Lady Panthers’ longest postseason run since 2008 ended with a 3-2 loss to Keller in the Region I-6A Division I Semifinals at Carrollton’s Brian Brazil Stadium on Friday.
Trailing 3-1, the Lady Panthers were awarded a penalty kick with just over four minutes remaining in the second half.
Junior Lauren Delapaz, who had a hat trick in Plano East’s 7-1 area win over Arlington Martin earlier in the week, stepped up to the line and converted the attempt to bring Plano East to within one goal.
However, the Lady Panthers were unable to generate the equalizer.
Plano East never led.
Keller took a 1-0 lead in the third minute. A cross from the right side barely got away from Plano East goalkeeper Simone Heard. A Lady Indian forward pounced on the loose ball and scored on a strike inside the left post.
Keller increased its lead to 2-0 after blasting a free kick from 30 yards away into the top right corner of the net in the 52nd minute, and the Lady Indians added another goal with 22 minutes left on a left-footed strike from 25 yards away for a 3-0 advantage.
Trailing by three goals, and with its aspirations of advancing in the playoffs fading, the Lady Panthers staged one final rally.
Sophomore Aliya Jacob got Plano East on the board on the ensuing rush up the field. Jacob was 1-on-1 on the right side with heavy coverage by a Keller defender, but she one-hopped a kick into the net for a goal.
The Lady Panthers continued to play with desperation, and that determination paid off with 4:20 left in regulation. Plano East was awarded a penalty kick after a player was tackled from the side inside the penalty area. Delapaz stepped up to the line and kicked the ball in the net, reducing the Lady Panthers’ deficit to 3-2.
Despite their best efforts, the Lady Panthers were unable to come up with the equalizer, and their longest playoff run in 16 years ended in the third round of the postseason.
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