Kylie Russell's hat trick seals Veterans Memorial's comeback win against Mission Vets
Veterans Memorial sophomore Kylie Russell gave fans every reason to stay in their seat for a full 80 minutes on Tuesday at the Cabaniss Soccer Field.
Even after Mission Veterans Memorial took a two goal lead into the second half, Russell supplied three goals in the final 35 minutes, including a go-ahead free kick with 25 seconds remaining to secure a 3-2 come-from-behind bi-district win against the top seeded Patriots.
Russell's go-ahead goal soared more than 40 feet to split the upright to secure her first career playoff hat trick and send the home crowd into a frenzy.
"It was nerve-racking," Russell said of her game-winning goal. "Once my teammates told me we only had 30 seconds left on the clock I thought, 'Oh, we do only have 30 seconds left.' I'm thankful that it happened and I'm thankful for my team."
The combination of Russell's performance and a stout Veterans Memorial defense in the second half sent the Eagles to the area round for the fourth consecutive season to play either playoff rival McAllen or Edcouch-Elsa.
"The mindset we keep is to not give up," Russell said. "This win gives us a lot of momentum. It keeps our team going and it keeps me going. It's something to be happy about and it gives us a lot of momentum going forward."
Russell started the Eagles' comeback by scoring her first goal five minutes into the second half before adding two unanswered in the final 20 minutes of play.
Veterans Memorial girls soccer coach Ifiok Ofong said the development of his younger players, including Russell, has been a key reason the team was able to find a groove late in the season and clinch a spot in the postseason.
The Eagles overcame an 0-7 start to the season, but now enter the second round winners of 10 of their last 12 games.
"We have a lot of young players and I'm so proud of them," Ofong said. "They never give up and they came back in the second half fighting. I'm so proud of all of them ... Every single one of them."
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Go-ahead goal by Kylie Russell lifts Veterans Memorial to bi-district win
