Castleberry girls program continues to set the standard after PK victory over Argyle
With a win on Thursday over Argyle, the Castleberry girls soccer team continues to set the new standard for a program in its third season.
The Lions tied it up in the 98th minute with Caitlin Buendia’s 30th goal of the season and Castleberry went on to beat the Eagles, 3-2, in penalty kicks to win a 4A Region I quarterfinal game at Birdville Fine Arts Athletic Complex.
“I was calling for it in the open space and I was able to hold off the defender,” the sophomore Buendia said. “I was replaying it in slow motion because I thought I hit the net before I realized it actually went in.”
Freshman Leslie Guereca found sophomore Alysia Espinoza in the box to push Castleberry to a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute, but Argyle (16-6-2) tied it in the 65th minute thanks to Emma Sheehan.
Going into overtime, Sheehan added her second goal in the 87th minute.
“At that point, we were dealing with some fatigue because some of our girls were at the district track meet on Wednesday,” said Castleberry coach Mark Hinshaw, who is in his first year with the Lions, coming from Midland Lee. “We made some mistakes and were careless with the ball, and punished for it, but the kids fought back and I can’t say enough about their fight. We knew this would be a physical challenge. It was a great high school soccer game.”
In the shootout, the Lions took a 2-0 lead with goals from Guereca and Alison Wamsley. The Lions missed their next two attempts and Argyle tied it. Buendia nailed her attempt in the fifth round and Argyle’s attempt went off the top post.
“I thought her shot went in before hearing it off the post,” junior goalie Hailey Rivera said. “We’re just grateful to have a team like this and push through with a great outcome.”
During the first season of 2017, the mission was to play UIL soccer. They reached the playoffs, losing to Alvarado 3-1 in the first round.
The second year was a big step, going 20-6-1. Castleberry won its first playoff game then went on to the regional tournament, falling to Abilene Wylie in the semifinals.
But Year 3 has been the best yet and the Lions are looking for more.
“It’s a nice young mixture of talented soccer players and good athletes,” Hinshaw said. “Without a doubt, they’re the best group of kids I’ve worked with.”
Castleberry (21-3) won its district this season and set a program record with its 21st win against Argyle. A second-straight trip to the regional tourney will see the Lions take on San Angelo Lake View or Canyon, Friday April 12 at 10 a.m. at Northwest ISD Stadium.
“We’re excited and now we get eight days to recover and scout for our next opponent,” Hinshaw said.
“We’re very thankful to be in the playoffs three years in a row. We hope to go further,” Rivera added. “This is a great group of girls. We love to work hard and make new memories every day. We’re a family.”
