Despite a tough loss to Tulsa Edison on Friday, the Durant Lady Lion soccer team remained in solid contention for a Class 5A playoff spot last week with a 5-0 blanking of Shawnee on the road.
Coach Katie Williams’ crew dropped a 1-0 nailbiter to Edison with the boys’ squad falling twice, 4-2 at Shawnee and 7-1 against a powerful Edison unit.
Durant has a pivotal district matchup for the girls on the road Friday at McAlester to wrap up the regular season.
Girls
With starting goalkeeper Alex Martinez sidelined with an injury, junior Mia Ibarra stepped up in a huge spot with five clutch saves in spurring the shutout triumph.
J.J. Patten came through with another strong showing, finding the back of the net twice on nine shots on goal while freshman Avery Blackburn also provided a pair of goals on eight shot attempts.
Jillian Feltman chipped in one goal as well on two shot attempts. Kamryn White notched a pair of assists and had two shots. Diana Hernandez contributed an assist with Lily Ruiz and Kira Hoffman maintaining the offensive pressure with four shots on goal. Kirsten Collins, Aubree Wise, Marigold Moore, Shyloh Bailey and Maddie Turner also had one shot apiece with Bailey pitching in one assist.
The defensive back line for the Lady Lions was solid all night with contributions from Jaci Floyd, Ella Kinard, Kirsten Collins, Diana Hernandez and Riley Standifer.
Durant hung tough in the Edison contest thanks to a spectacular effort from Martinez, who returned from injury and notched a phenomenal 31 saves facing a relentless Lady Eagle attack. Edison’s lone score came off a free kick situation that deflected in front of the goal and was knocked in the net.
Ruiz and White each had two shots on goal with one apiece from Feltman and Blackburn.
Boys
Joseph Flores posted a pair of goals against Shawnee with Jonathan Hitchcock contributing an assist but Durant was unable to hold off the Wolves.
Facing defending state champ Edison they ran into a buzz saw with the Eagles racing to a 4-0 advantage before a penalty kick from Flores gave the Lions their lone score of the match.
“They were definitely the best team we have played all season,” head coach John Wilmoth said of the Eagles.”
