DENTON — Denton came into Tuesday’s Class 4A Region I area round playoff game hoping to pull off its second consecutive upset win this postseason.
But Wichita Falls High School wasn’t about to end its season with consecutive losses as the Lady Coyotes bounced Denton from the playoffs, 5-1, at Bronco Field.
The Lady Coyotes (17-2-3) scored two quick goals during the first seven minutes and controlled the ball all night. Kaitlin Foran netted the first goal in the second minute, and five minutes later Sierra Anderson made it 2-0.
“Those goals were huge for us,” Wichita Falls High School coach Rob Woodard said. “It set the momentum for us.”
Fookes scores twice for WFHS, her 15th and 16th goals of the season 
Foran nets pair of goals, her 16th and 17th of the season in the victory. |
Denton (9-10) had no answer in the first half on offense. It struggled to execute passes and it was evident the Lady Coyotes had a speed advantage.
The Lady Broncos had just one shot on goal during the first 40 minutes compared to 15 shots for WFHS.
“This was a matter of a team that just ran out of gas,” Denton head coach Iseed Khoury said. “We only play 12 players, and I think our lack of depth finally caught up with us. It would have been nice to get another win, but the better team won tonight.”
The Lady Broncos cut the lead to 2-1 nine minutes into the second half when Kaila Petrie netted a goal over the head of Wichita Falls goalkeeper Tori Shannon.
“I thought we were going to win the game when that happened,” Khoury said. “I thought that goal would inspire us.”
But WFHS answered quickly not only once, but three times. During the next eight minutes, the Lady Coyotes scored a trio of goals to end Denton’s threat.
“Those goals broke our backs,” Khoury said. “Those goals hurt.”
All three goals were unchallenged by the Lady Broncos. Foran picked up her second goal of the night during the surge and Payton Fookes added the other two goals.
It was the same players who have been finishing well all year. Foran has 17 goals, Fookes has 16 and Anderson notched her sixth.
“The answer goals were big for us,” Woodard said. “Denton grabbed the momentum and we were able to steal it right back.”
Woodard praised the play of his entire defense and also named Cassidy Beer and Shannon Spruiell as standouts.
The Lady Coyotes are now two wins away from a chance to play at home in the Region I-4A tournament. They will face Birdville in the Sectional round. The time and place have not been determined.
Matthew Muench writes for the Denton Record Chronicle.
