Dripping Springs stops Gregory-Portland to advance in UIL playoffs
Gregory-Portland hoped to have another comeback up its sleeve after falling behind 3-0 in the first half to defending state champion Dripping Springs during Friday's Class 5A regional semifinal match.
The Wildcats overcame a two-goal deficit in last week's regional quarterfinal win against McAllen, but the task against the undefeated Tigers proved to be too much in a 3-1 loss at Cabaniss Soccer Field.
Dripping Springs improved to 25-0 and advanced to the Region IV-5A final to play Boerne Champion, a 4-2 winner against McAllen, at 2 p.m. Saturday back at Cabaniss Soccer Field.
Gregory-Portland's successful season, which featured its fifth consecutive District 29-5A title, came to a close.
"There's no way around it, we knew we had our work cut out for us," Gregory-Portland coach Casey Wyatt said. "They are a really good up and down, all 11 players and they have some good players off the bench as well. We knew life was going to be difficult and credit to them, they're a fantastic team that's coached really well."
Hannah Gamez gave the Tigers the lead for good after finding the net from about 20 yards out in the 11th.
A foul by the Wildcats allowed Riley Sisson to attempt a free kick and the junior capitalized to give the Tigers a 2-0 advantage.
Ellie Hodsden scored Dripping Spring's final goal in the 24th.
The Wildcats (19-5-1) erased the shutout when senior Karlee Friebele put G-P on the board in the 78th minute. Sophia Jimenez recorded the assist.
"We've seen Gregory-Portland in this round three times in a row and they're a well-coached team," Dripping Springs coach Bailee Perrine said. "They fight and you can tell they play together a lot. They're a good, respectable opponent."
Sydney Kuzma was the spark defensively for the Wildcats in her final game. The senior goalkeeper finished with nine saves to keep Gregory-Portland in the game.
Kuzma is one of four seniors on the team.
"I get a lot of pressure from my coaches and teammates, but I do it for them," Kuzma said. "There's nobody else I'd rather do it for. It's been a great season — a lot of people said we wouldn't make it this far but we kept coming out on top."
Dripping Springs and Boerne Champion played twice during District 26-5A play and both matches were close.
The Tigers won 2-0 on Jan. 25 and edged the Chargers 2-1 on Feb. 25.
"We've seen Boerne Champion twice this year and we have a good idea on how they play," Perrine said. "They have a solid team."
Gregory-Portland vs. Dripping Springs: Friday's highlights
Gregory-Portland rarely had trouble finding the net first this season, but it was Dripping Springs that scored early and throughout the first half. Hannah Gamez scored the game's first goal in the 11th and Riley Sisson connected on a free kick to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Ellie Hodsden scored Dripping Spring's final goal in the 24th. Karlee Friebele erased the shut out by scoring the Wildcats' lone goal in the 78th. It was the third meeting in the last four seasons between the two teams with the final score resulting in a Tigers win. Dripping Springs has won 25 consecutive games after snapping Gregory-Portland's 19-game winning streak.
Friday's stars
Kuzma finished with nine saves in her final high school game to lead the Wildcats defensively and Friebele scored Gregory-Portland's lone goal with two minutes remaining in the second half on an assist by Sophia Jimenez. Gamez, Sisson and Hodsden each supplied goals for the Tigers.
They said it
Gregory-Portland coach Casey Wyatt on his senior class: "Love the seniors. Sydney Kuzma, Karlee Friebele, Ethany Castillo and Khilyssa White... there's no replacing them. We're going to miss them dearly and the fact I get to hang around them every single day is special."
Up next
Dripping Springs vs. Boerne Champion, 2 p.m. Saturday, Cabaniss Soccer Field
More: Calallen girls top Wimberley to advance to regional final in UIL soccer playoffs
Rey Castillo is a sports reporter for the Caller-Times and a graduate of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He may be reached at rey.castillo@caller.com or on Twitter @reycastillo361
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Dripping Springs ends Gregory-Portland's season to advance in playoffs
