Apaches Dominate First Round of Playoffs with Commanding Win over Scorpions
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Texas Southmost College () | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Tyler Junior College () | 3 | 4 | 7 |
Tyler, TX– The Apaches kicked off the first round of playoffs this Friday at Pat Hartley Field, where they faced off against the Texas Southmost Scorpions.
The Apaches came out strong, with Ella Palframan delivering a well-placed corner kick that Sille Bach Vesterholm headed straight into the back of the net. Dominating possession for most of the game, the Apaches secured a free kick close to the goal, allowing Miki Hayashi to slot in a second goal in the 26th minute.
The Apaches' defense disrupted every attempt by the Scorpions to find a rhythm, with Vesterholm emerging as both a goal scorer and a pivotal playmaker, setting the pace throughout the game. Defensive standout Gabby Saboia also played a key role, challenging any attempts toward the Apache goal. Head Coach Corey Rose capitalized on the Apaches' lead, frequently rotating players and giving goalkeeper Layne Chapman valuable minutes in the net.
By halftime, the Apaches led the Scorpions 3-0. The second half saw them quickly extend their lead with back-to-back goals by Emilie Rodriguez in the 50th and 51st minutes, assisted by Gabby Saboia and Gabrielle Thompson, respectively.
The Apaches continued to control possession, leading to multiple scoring opportunities and tallying 26 shots on goal. Among those, Rebekah Nolen netted a goal with an assist from Vesterholm, while Gabrielle Thompson capped off the night with a final goal assisted by Meike Zijderlaan just seconds before the whistle.
With this dominant performance, the Apaches outscored and outpaced the Scorpions, advancing to the second round of regionals. They will next face Angelina College on Sunday, October 27th, at 7 p.m. in Lufkin, Texas.
