The Southern Wayne Lady Saints faced a tough challenge against the Hunt Lady Warriors, as the Lady Warriors came out strong and quickly established momentum in the opening half.
Hunt wasted no time finding the back of the net, scoring three early goals to take command of the match. Despite the pressure, the Lady Saints continued to battle and looked to create opportunities offensively.
Southern Wayne gained possession when No. 14 Hayley Aldana connected with No. 16 Elizabeth Estevez on an attacking push, but the Lady Warriors’ aggressive defense stepped in with a steal to stop the drive. Hunt later attempted another shot on goal but missed the net.
The Lady Saints responded with one of their strongest possessions of the half, sparked by No. 9 Abigail Ruiz driving the ball forward before being fouled. Southern Wayne earned a free kick, but No. 14 Hayley Aldana’s attempt sailed just high over the post.
Hunt later earned a corner kick but was unable to capitalize. Southern Wayne’s goalkeeper attempted a goal kick, but the Lady Warriors kept the pressure on and added another score at the 2:47 mark before halftime.
The Lady Saints continued searching for momentum late in the half, but time expired before they could break through.
Halftime Score: Southern Wayne Lady Saints 0, Hunt Lady Warriors 4
Lady Saints Show New Energy After the Break
Southern Wayne came out in the second half with renewed energy and determination. The Lady Saints quickly showed more aggression offensively and finally broke through on the scoreboard.
At the 29:10 mark, No. 9 Abigail Ruiz scored for Southern Wayne to ignite excitement and give the Lady Saints momentum. The goal highlighted the team’s persistence and refusal to quit despite facing a large deficit.
Hunt answered later in the half with a strong possession and scoring drive at the 9:05 mark. From there, the Lady Warriors continued to control the pace of the game and maintained pressure offensively until the final whistle.
Even in defeat, the Lady Saints showed resilience, especially in the second half, continuing to compete hard and play with energy against a strong Hunt squad.
Final Score: Southern Wayne Lady Saints 1, Hunt Lady Warriors 6
Post Game Interview
After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with Southern Wayne head coach Brian Harrell about the Lady Saints’ final game of the season and the culture shift taking place within the program. Coach Harrell said this season was “a great start to turning the narrative around” for the Lady Saints. Although the team finished with a 2-11-1 record, he emphasized that the players’ effort and determination showed significant progress throughout the year. “Our girls are making progress and getting better every game,” Harrell said.
Harrell also praised the team’s leadership and future potential, noting that the senior class provided strong leadership this season. He added that the Lady Saints have a talented freshman class and a sophomore group that is “hungry to succeed,” giving the program high hopes for an even more impactful season next year. Coach Harrell said he is extremely proud of his players, regardless of the outcome of each game, because they “put everything they have out on the field every game.”
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