Extra work helps Arlington girls beat Paschal in soccer

By John Henry

Special to the Star-Telegram

Spring break for Arlington High’s soccer team last week turned into a staycation.

And for good reason. There was no time for leisure when work was calling on the pitch.

That might have been why the Colts appeared in top form on a brisk Tuesday night while dominating District 3-5A peer Paschal 3-0 at the Bill Allen Field in Fort Worth.

Kiki Recinos, Madisen Darden and Molly Lukk each had a goal and Kathleen Johnson had an assist for district front-running Arlington (13-7-2, 11-1 district), which moved a step closer to the 3-5A title while avenging a loss to the Panthers earlier this season.

“The girls asked to practice over spring break,” said Andrea Scott, Arlington’s coach who added that her team has been asking to work out on Saturdays, too. “This has been a big game for the girls.

“They put in the work that it took.”

The game began by taking on the same feel as the one Paschal (12-8-1, 8-4) won last month, a 1-0 game the young Panthers seized in a shootout.

Both teams had opportunities in the first 10 minutes, which was played to a draw.

Then Arlington turned up the burners, continually sending play into Paschal’s defensive zone.

The Colts finally broke through at the 34th minute, finding the back of the net with Recinos‘ header off Johnson’s assist.

Darden took possession of an idle ball just past midfield and trucked forward, dribbling in and out of Paschal’s defense, including a juke right and back left before firing a left-footed bullet from 15 yards.

The Colts were in charge four minutes later when the ball found an opening in the top right corner.

“Soccer is a funny game,” Scott said, thinking about the differences between the last time these teams played and Tuesday. “On any given night, if the ball bounces right … . Both teams had opportunities.”

Lukk’s chip-in goal from a few feet off a favorable rebound put the game out of reach in the 48th minute.

The postseason hopes of Paschal remain intact. A victory would have fortified its hold on third place.

The top four teams advance to the playoffs.

Paschal has games remaining with North Crowley and Arlington Lamar.

Arlington meets Arlington Bowie at home and finishes with a game at North Crowley.

There’s still much work to do, Scott said.

“Bowie has really turned it on at the end,” the coach said. “They’ve been playing really well. It’s finally clicked for them.”

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