By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
Burleson Centennial junior Bella Marquez had a hat trick during the area round championship against Birdville – nothing that would make you say wow as we see three goals in a game every night.
However, two of those goals came with a bit of luck – and some pain – as the Spartans beat Birdville in overtime, and then beat Amarillo Tascosa in the regional semifinals.
“It’s a very surreal feeling,” Marquez said after the Spartans beat Birdville 4-3. “I’m feeling every emotion. Feels great to get a hat trick.”
What makes it more sweeter for the star forward is that she’s coming off an ACL injury in last year’s playoffs. Marquez suffered the injury in the first round last season and wears a brace on her left knee.
“So incredibly proud of her. She’s worked hard to come back. It’s a hard injury for anybody, but Bella has worked her butt off,” coach Heather McMahan said. “She’s such a dynamic and dangerous player and to see her work come to fruition in a game that mattered the most was huge. So proud of her and all the girls for fighting until the end.”
Against the Hawks, Centennial trailed 2-0 before tying the game with goals in the 68th and 73rd minutes.
The first goal came with the ball in the box.
Jayde Hudson got off the shot attempt from 5 yards away, however, the ball bounced off Marquez’s face and into the net.
Marquez said it definitely hurt.
“I couldn’t feel my face after,” Marquez laughed. “But hey, it went in so it counts.”
Charlie Watson scored the equalizer with a goal from over 30 yards away with 8:50 left in regulation.
In overtime, Marquez gave Centennial its first lead in the 82nd minute when she scored in the upper right corner from 20 yards out. Her third goal and the Spartans’ fourth of the night came five minutes later when Marquez dribbled in the box with the Birdville keeper looking to clear. But the ball bounced off Marquez’s right shoulder and into the net for a 4-2 advantage.
“After tearing my ACL, the goal was to get back here,” Marquez said. “We stayed calm and composed, and had the same mindset. We didn’t panic. Our attitude was still the same.
“I was right there at the right time on those two goals.”
Added Marquez, “My teammates have been there for me. They bring me up on my bad days and it’s been so much fun.”
Centennial (18-1-4) will face Colleyville Heritage (16-3-2) in the Region 1 final of the 5A D1 bracket at 6 pm on Tuesday from Crowley ISD Stadium.
The Spartans edged out Tascosa 1-0 with Marquez assisting on a goal from Hannah Furney.
This is the program’s first regional final appearance since 2019.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” McMahan said about the Birdville game. “Our message was that it was going to be a dogfight. These girls just don’t quit. They haven’t quit all year.”
