After thrashing Liberty Hill 6-0 in the district finale, Salado High School Lady Eagles are District Champions for the first time since Salado instituted a soccer program four years ago.

The win avenged an earlier loss to Liberty Hill, Salado’s only loss in a 20-1 and 7-1 district run. The girls will play a warm up game at Gatesville on March 23 prior to the first round of playoffs when they will face Smithville, the fourth place team from District 25-4A.

“We came into the game knowing that need to start out strong,” Ashlen LaCanne said of the win on March 13. “Teamwork pays off!”

LaCanne, a forward, led the girls with two goals and an assist.

Forward Sara Wilkerson also scored two goals for Salado. Kristin Couch, midfielder, added a goal and an assist and China Saxton, midfielder scored a goal. Outside midfielder Katey Ewton contributed an assist in the match played in Salado.

The win over rival Liberty Hill came on the hills of a 16-0 shellacking of the Jarrell Lady Cougars on March 10 in Salado.

“We played well,” said Katey Ewton, “and had a lot of fun. Coach Goos has worked us hard in practice to become a team with a strong offense and defense, and I think it shows in results like this.”

The results also show in Salado’s top ranking in 4A soccer by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

Four girls scored multiple goals in the match against Jarrell: Defender Stephani Fleagle and Forward Taylor Valeriano each scored two goals and had an assist. Outside Midfielder  Reagan Morreale and Forward Gema Vitolas both scored two goals in the win.

Also scoring for the Lady Eagles were these: Forward Annie Ewton, one goal and two assists; Outside Midfielder Katey Ewton and Forward Ashlen LaCanne, one goal and one assist each; Midfielders Kristin Crouch, China Saxton, Tyler Pierce and Dani Gantenbein, one goal each. Midfielder Rebecca Gonzalez had three assists while Forward Sara Wilkerson had one assist.