Reported by Jamie Oyler

Katey Ewton took a cross shot from Tyler Pierce and put it in the net with less than five minutes left in the Regional Finals April 9 to put the Lady Eagles lead out of reach for Boerne, winning 3-1 to earn Salado’s first berth in the State Soccer Tournament.

Salado was ranked as a top team in the state when it lost to Boerne in the Regional Finals last year, so the win was one of sweet revenge for the girls. It was only their second loss last year in a season that has only been surpassed by this group of girls that have grown up playing soccer together.

On a hot and humid Saturday afternoon, both teams were scoreless after the first period, although Boerne took twice as many shots on goal as Salado.

It was 15 minutes into the game before Boerne’s goalkeeper even touched the ball. Meanwhile, Salado goalkeeper Sam Isbell had three saves in the first 10 minutes of play alone.

The Lady Eagles missed a shot on goal by mere inches late in the first as the girls built towards each shot. Boerne, on the other hand, took shots anytime they were within 25 yards of the goal.

Salado scored on a throw-in by Carly Nichols that was ruled an own-goal as it skimmed the fingertips of the Boerne goalkeeper with 34 minutes left in the match.

Annie Ewton scored with an assist from Sara Wilkerson with 28 minutes left in regulation play for a 2-0 lead.

With less than 15 minutes left to play, Boerne closed the gap on a long shot that just barely missed the top corner post to make the score 2-1.

To get to the rematch with Boerne, Salado had to get past Rockport-Fulton in the Regional Semi-finals, which is what the girls did the year before by the same 2-0 score.

Katey Ewton scored both goals in Salado’s Regional Semi-Final win against Rockport-Fulton on April 8.

Ewton scored on a throw-in ball by Sarah Wilkerson. She also scored on an assist from China Saxton that started with a free kick from Reagan Morreale for the 2-0 lead.