Knights end regular season with huge redemption win

After suffering a decisive loss to the district-champ Stars in February, Knights battle back to win 3-2 in PK thriller

Dave Winter

Senior Sarah Hauck and junior Ellie Knoll are all smiles moments after the final buzzer sealed the Knights redemptive win over Ann Richards to end the district season on a high note. After suffering a decisive road loss to the Stars in February, the Knights overcame an early Stars goal to take the lead 2-1 midway into the second half then answered the Stars’ game-tying goal with the game winner on penalty kick with three minutes remaining after Ann Richards was called for a hand ball in the box.

Maya Tackett, Mac photojournalism
March 23, 2023

The girls varsity soccer team redeemed itself by beating Ann Richards 3-2 on Saturday March 11. The Knights previously lost to the Stars 6-0 in their first meeting on Feb. 3.

Just 20 minutes into the game, the Knights found themselves down 1-0 after a breakaway. The first half remained evenly matched until senior Sydney Suárez-Wallace tied up the game just before halftime. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Suárez-Wallace found the back of the net again. However, not even five minutes later, the Stars scored off of a blocked shot made by Rylee Hissey to tie the game. Then, the Knights saw the chance to take the lead with just three minutes left when an Ann Richards defender hand-balled. Junior Sarah Hauck stepped up to take the penalty kick.

“I was really nervous because this penalty kick decided if we won the game or not against our biggest rival,” Hauck said.

Hauck buried the ball in the back of the net to put the Knights ahead of Ann Richards and win the game.

Junior Caroline Owen saw this game as a chance to prove to herself and the team that they could compete against tough opponents.

BRACE YOURSELF: Senior striker Sydney Suárez-Wallace is greeted by teammates after her second goal of the game gave the Knights a 2-1 second-half lead. The Stars rallied to tie it, but the Knights prevailed thanks to a Sarah Hauck penalty kick goal after an Ann Richards hand ball in the box. (Dave Winter)

“We came out really strong and didn’t wait for them to take control of the game before we started playing,” said Owen. “Even though they scored first, we didn’t let it discourage us because we knew we were playing well. That allowed us to respond to their goal quickly that way we could remain in the game. Beating a team that previously beat us 6-0 gave us some reassurance that we can actually play with good teams.”

While this game was a great win to end off on, senior Chloe Anderson saw some room for improvement as they move into playoffs.

“We got scored on twice from not anticipating correctly,” said Anderson. “We just need to figure out defensive positions and how to work against fast players. For the future, we just need to be a bit more prepared for those moments and be extra cautious.”

As district play finishes, the Knights’ attention is focused on playoffs. Their first, of hopefully many games, will be against Georgetown East View at East View today. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

Sarah Hauck was money late in the game against Ann Richards. After the Stars were called for a hand ball with three minutes left in the game, Hauck scored the game winner on a penalty kick placed perfectly inside the left goal post with more than enough pace to get past the Stars’ keeper.