Photo: Grapevine’s Maddison Patton (middle) celebrates her second goal of the game vs Montgomery Lake Creek in the 5A D2 title match on Friday April 10 at Birkelbach Field
By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
GEORGETOWN – Grapevine was the seasoned veteran coming into Friday’s match against newcomer Montgomery Lake Creek, which was playing in its first championship.
Grapevine was in the semifinals or title game for the fifth time in the last 6 years – winning a crown in 2023. But the Mustangs found themselves in a hole for most of the game against the Lions.
Maddison Patton orchestrated a 2-goal comeback and tied the game with under 9 minutes left in regulation, but Lake Creek scored the game-winner in the 73rd minute to hold off the rally 3-2 in the Class 5A D2 title match at Birkelbach Field.
Grapevine finishes 18-6-6 while Lake Creek ends 18-6-2.
The two sides were pretty even for the first 38 minutes – until Lake Creek got on the board. The Lions took a 1-nil lead in the 38th minute on an unassisted goal from Lainy Zabriegala.
With the 1-nil lead at the intermission, it took 94 seconds for Lake Creek to extend the margin in the 41st minute when Zabriegala found Hallie Montgomery.
Grapevine got 6 shots off in the second half, but Lake Creek kept the Mustangs at bay and continued to lead 2-0 for the next 20 minutes.
Patton finally got one to go – she finished with 3 shots on the day.
She took a pass from Tori Fiegel and beat a defender to score in the 63rd minute that pulled Grapevine within 2-1. Then in the 71st minute, Patton beat another defender to the ball, turned around to hit a shot and fell on her back side.
The ball went over the Lake Creek keeper and into the net for a 2-2 tie.
However, the Lake Creek offense pushed and took the lead in the 73rd minute on a goal by Harper Montgomery with the assist coming from Xochi Ramirez.
Grapevine had a few other chances late to tie it again, including on a corner, but a running header from Chloe O’Steen was just off the mark.
Grapevine goalkeeper Brooke Bereuter and Lake Creek’s Pyper Johnson both had 5 saves.
The Mustangs reached the title game after taking down Frisco Wakeland 1-0 in the semis.
