Many things went the way of the Hays High School girls soccer team in its Western Athletic Conference opener against Liberal on Thursday on the Indians home field. The final score wasnt one of them, however.

Despite feeling like the Indians had the advantage in possession and scoring opportunities, Liberal made the most of its few chances, scoring the games only goal in the 65th minute for a 1-0 win.

Following the contest, the Indians sat circled around first-year coach Silas Hibbs well into the first half of the junior varsity contest. His message was simple.

I told the girls we can focus on the one negative thing that happened, which was the outcome of a win or a loss or we could focus on the 100 things we did well today, Hibbs said. I know we got substantially better today.

The Indians owned a majority of the better scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes of the contest, including a number of set pieces, but shots failed to challenge the Liberal goalkeeper.

Isabel Robben, the Indians freshman goalkeeper, was tested for the first time in the 29th minute. Moments later, she kept the visitors scoreless, stopping a Liberal breakthrough and conceding a corner kick that the Indian defense cleared.

Hays Highs best opportunity in the first half came minutes before halftime, as CJ Norris shot bounced off the crossbar and back into play. A scramble for the loose ball followed, and Liberal defenders blocked a pair of Indian shots.

The Indians earned a corner kick in the final seconds of the half but rushed to get the ball into play, as the second half started without a goal

That appeared destined to change as Maddie Keller came just a touch away from redirecting a Savannah Schneider cross into an open Liberal goal in the 42nd minute, but the Indians failed to capitalize.

After a series of near misses, Liberal notched the games only goal when Sabrina Pacheco converted on a counterattack in the 65th minute. His teams defense in the critical juncture didnt bother the Hays High coach.

We actually had two players marking that person on the backside, Hibbs said. You hear it basketball, you hear it in soccer, sometimes the ball doesnt bounce your way.

It was just one of those situations. Credit to Liberal for being in the right spot at the right time.

Hays High senior Tressa Becker nearly equalized with a powerful shot later in the half but saw it saved for an Indian corner kick.

The Indians next best opportunity came in the final seconds when Schneider played a dangerous ball into the box. No teammate reached it before it was cleared as time expired, dropping the Indians to 2-3 on the season and 0-1 in WAC play.

Sometimes all it takes is one little counterattack to fall behind, Hibbs said. Even though the outcome wasnt what we wanted, I was very proud of our girls because we dominated probably 75 to 80 percent of the possession, and we probably out-shot them 10-1.

According to the Indians statistics, Hays High owned an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal and earned eight corner kicks to Liberals two.

Robben was credited with three saves on the day, while her counterpart tallied eight.

The Indians are scheduled to return to action at home Monday against Junction City.

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Goals evade Indians in loss to Liberal | Sports | hdnews.net - Hays Daily News