MCKINNEY – Who would have thought that it would take two wins by shootout to capture arguably the toughest region in the state for your first tournament berth all-time? Don’t think Prosper thought so, but the Eagles did just that on Saturday to take down defending Class 6A champ Flower Mound Marcus.
After beating the top-ranked Southlake Carroll Dragons in a shootout during Friday’s regional semifinals, it would take another shootout from Prosper to win the Class 6A Region 1 title game on Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium.
Fortunately, Saturday’s shootout was a bit less nerve-wracking.
Senior Beya Rosales drained the game-winning penalty kick in the fifth round and the Eagles beat the Marauders 4-2 in the shootout after going scoreless in regulation and overtime. Prosper (24-2-2) will play in the state semifinals 12 pm Friday April 12 vs Katy Seven Lakes (19-3-5) from Georgetown ISD Stadium. Rockwall (21-3-2) is other area school to make the girls tourney after the Yellowjackets edged Wylie East in PKs in the Region 2 final on Saturday. They will play in the 9:30 am semifinal vs Austin Westlake (16-4-2).
Rhiannon Mahon opened the PKs with a score to give Prosper a 1-0 lead. Marcus missed its first attempt and the Eagles went up 2-0 on a score by Olivia Hess (Baylor). Prosper GK Maggie Manning (Houston) made the save and Prosper still led by two after two rounds. Freshman Khloe Griffith drained her attempt and the Eagles had a comfortable 3-0 lead. Marcus got its one right after from Savannah Wylie (Oklahoma).
Marcus goalkeeper Bry Russell (Alabama State) made the save to begin Round 4 to keep it 3-1. Then Marcus pulled within 3-2 to end Round 4 on a score by Emma Fioretti. The Marauders end the season with a 17-7-4 record. Seniors like Russell played all four years on varsity with Marcus winning 86 games and making the regional final all four seasons.
Marcus was without leading scorer and star sophomore Madi Patterson, who got injured with 12 minutes left on Friday against Wolfforth Frenship. Marcus won 1-0. On Saturday, Patterson was on the sideline and in crutches with a brace on her right leg. With winds 20 MPH, both teams had a few chances in the first half but there was real no shot on goal. Prosper sent a cross into the box and 5 yards from goal, but Russell punched it away in the 43rd minute. Brooklyn Miller hit a shot 10 yards away but Russell stopped it.
The Eagles had a good chance in the 53rd minute.
Hess found Isabella Fregoso who sent one 18 yards out, but it hit the top post. Miller then beat a defender to the ball in the 60th minute. She found Fregoso who passed it to Reagan Roberts but Russell got both hands for the stop. Roberts hit one from 30 yards in the 63rd minute but it went right over the top post. Prosper got a cross and header by Fregoso near the upper left 90 but Russell is there for another save in the 66th minute. Marcus hit a corner from Wylie in the 74th minute and Allie Williams got a head on it but it went over the post.
Prosper beat Carroll in seven rounds of PKs on Friday.
Manning made two remarkable saves in overtime and two more in PKs including the game clincher.
