Yoe soccer drops pair; Lady yoe clinch playoff spot

Despite falling to both Academy on Friday and Salado on Tuesday, Yoe soccer still has an opportunity to advance into the postseason for the first time in school history.  

After only falling 1-0 on their first meeting, the Yoemen could not keep pace the second go-around in a 5-0 loss to Academy.  The overall shots on goal saw Academy only hold a slight edge at 16-15, but Cameron simply could not convert any shot attempts. 

At the 35-minute mark of the first half, Yoe goalie Chandler Barton saved an on-goal shot to keep the match scoreless, but an ensuing corner kick led to the first goal.  

Cameron had one of their best opportunities to score just minutes later when Henry Martinez got behind defenders, but was just one step too slow as the Bees goaltender collected the ball and ended the threat.  

At the 30-minute mark the same situation presented itself for Diego Martinez, but he also was not able to get off an attempt.  

Both Henry and Diego added on another shot attempt before Academy built on their lead at the 19:30 mark, pushing the deficit to 2-0.  

The match was put away at the 35 minute mark of the second half when a ball sneaked by four Yoe defenders and into the back of the net.  

Diego Martinez had one final opportunity to get Cameron on the scoreboard at the 11:30 mark with a penalty shot 15 yards out, but the ball sailed just inches left of the bar. 

On Tuesday, the Yoemen fell hard to the Salado Eagles, 6-0.  The loss means that Cameron has finished 2-6 in 25-4A, but is still in contention for a playoff spot.  The Yoemen will need to have Florence lose to Jarrell on Friday to keep their hopes alive.  

Lady Yoe

On Friday, the Lady Yoe had an opportunity to clinch the program’s first-ever playoff berth with a win over Academy.   Looking at the offensive stats from the match, you would have said that Cameron dominated all the way, with an 18-2 on-goal advantage.  However, none of those attempts managed to find net and it was the Bees that prevailed in penalty kicks, 3-2.  

“That was our first experience at that,” said Lady Yoe coach Laura Dickson on the extra kicks.  “We have practiced it this year.  Last year in our district we would end in a tie.”

Karla Martinez started off the shooting at 35:25 mark of the opening half, but the Lady Bee goalie was just tall enough to tip the attempt and then collect the ball.  

Academy did not actually get a shot on goal until the 15:30 mark of the second half but it was easily saved by goalie Rebecca Kostroun. 

Darci Denio had a one on one attempt late in the match and Martinez had a penalty kick opportunity with just 16 seconds left in the match, but the kick sailed over the crossbar. 

“Like I told them at beginning of the game, we are going to start this game strong and finish stronger,” said Dickson.  “I thought we played great and I couldn’t have asked more from them, but we just have to finish and put the ball in the goal.  That game was ours.”

Neither team scored in the two overtime sessions to send the match to penalty kicks.  

Martinez and Kaith Kistler converted for Cameron on two of their five shots, but it was the Bees that scored on three, clinching the match.  

Cameron also fell at home to Salado on Tuesday, but the ladies are still in the hunt for the fourth playoff spot with a 3-6 record.  Cameron will travel to Gateway Prep in Georgetown on Friday, but may not have to beat the Lady Gators to get in.  

“We are still in fourth place with that loss and we are still one game ahead of them (Academy),” said Dickson.  “If Jarrell beats Academy this next game, then we’re in.  It goes by point differential, and I think we’re ahead in that, but It will depend on how they do with Jarrell.”