The Durant High School soccer teams closed out the non-district portion of the schedule with tough outings on the road last week at Noble and Harding Charter Prep in Oklahoma City.
Coach Katie Williams’ Lady Lions forged a split as they dropped a late 4-1 verdict in the first contest but bounced back for a 2-1 win against Harding. The Lions meanwhile fell 6-3 at Noble and 2-1 facing Harding.
Both teams will open the district slate at home on Friday, tangling with Tulsa Rogers starting with the girls at 5 p.m. at Paul Laird Field with the boys game to follow.
Girls
The Noble contest was a defensive slugfest that was knotted at 1-1 until just 5:42 remaining when the Lady Bears broke through with three unanswered goals for the victory.
Alex Martinez was stellar in goal most of the contest, making a whopping 14 saves. Kamryn White tallied the lone Durant goal, knocking in a deflection off a 25-yard free kick from Lily Ruiz. J.J. Patten chipped in three shots on goal with one apiece from Kira Hoffman, Aubree Wise and Ruiz.
In the Harding contest it was another low-scoring battle as the Lady Lions’ first goal came on a 25-yard blast from Ruiz, who peppered the Harding net with five shots on goal for the game.
Mia Ibarra contributed what proved to be the decisive goal off a Durant corner kick.
Patten, White and Hoffman posted four shots on goal apiece with two coming from Maddie Turner and one each by Marigold Moore and Diana Hernandez.
Martinez notched the victory in goal, saving five shots.
Boys
Trailing 3-1 at halftime against Noble, the Lions rallied in the second half to knot the score with just under 15 minutes remaining. The Bears however erupted for three late goals, taking advantage of the Lions being a man down in the process due to a red card.
Joseph Flores spurred the Durant offensive charge with two goals and one assist as Otto Baskins contributed a goal and assist as well.
Leland Hardwick notched eight saves in goal.
Facing Harding Prep, the Lions allowed a score in the first minute on a high arcing long shot. The hosts added another on a penalty kick following a DHS handball in the box.
Flores booted through the only Lions goal for the game.
“We played really good defense and that kept us in the match,” said head coach John Wilmoth. “I was proud of our effort.”