Westlake girls top Lake Travis to advance to Class 6A regional soccer tournament

Westlake girls soccer has had a lot of important wins in the program’s history, and Tuesday night’s performance may rank with the best of them.

The Chaps defeated Lake Travis 2-1 in a Class 6A regional quarterfinal at Dripping Springs High School to simultaneously end their rival’s season and advance to their second regional tournament in three years.

“It’s already a rivalry game, and both teams really showed up,” Westlake coach Darci Carruthers said. “(Goalkeeper Sophia Martin) had so many saves that kept us in the game, and we have been digging deep and finding ways to win these hard, competitive games.”

Georgia Millikin cleaned up a loose ball in the box off a shot by Kate Grannis to put Westlake (14-4-2) ahead in the first half.

Lake Travis (16-7-1) answered with Breckyn Ferrell’s shot from 50 yards out to tie the game prior to to the break, then Margaret Barton’s shot deflected into the goal for the game’s winning score in the second half.

Martin ended with 12 saves, including three that she pushed off the goal line.

Carruthers said the Chaps, who finished third in District 26-6A have been extra motivated this season after missing the playoffs a year ago.

“We didn’t live up to expectations (last season), and this has kind of been our revenge tour,” she said. “We’ve been kind of ignored, and no one took us serious most of the year. … But our girls move the ball really well, capitalize on other teams’ mistakes and our defense has been rock-solid. And the girls look like they’re having so much fun out there.”

Westlake will play Harlingen Friday morning at 11 in the regional semifinals at Comalander Stadium in San Antonio.