The Permian girls soccer team walked off the pitch after losing to rival Odessa High on the first Friday in February with its season and psyche in question.
How would the Lady Panthers respond to the one-goal loss in a game they controlled much of the pace of play?
Head coach Chad Peterson was about to find out.
Permian blanked Midland Legacy the following match, lost a close contest at Wolfforth Frenship and then went 5-1-1 the rest of the way in District 2-6A play to earn a playoff spot as the No. 2 seed.
That earned the Lady Panthers a home playoff game in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs.
They host El Paso Coronado at 2 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
“This team really jelled after the loss to Odessa High to open district,” Peterson said. “That loss really stung this team more than people realized.
“We came out and pressed hard against Midland Legacy, went to Frenship and lost a close game where we gave up and own goal early and then they didn’t score until the final four minutes of the game. We lost in penalties to Central, then beat Midland High, Odessa High and Legacy to get into playoff contention.”
Anai Lopez is the unquestioned offensive leader for the Lady Panthers (9-9-3 this season), time and again finding the back of the net when her team needs a lift.
Capable of running around, through or away from defenders, Lopez’s speed and fitness give opposing backlines fits.
She does have plenty of help, as Peterson was quick to point out.
Angeli Nunez, Zujeily Romero, Alyssa Valdez, Kyler Crawford, Kelcie Fuentes, Caydance Pornan, Kayle Torres, Abagayle Haynes and Sophia Castillo all have played important roles this season.
They will need to be at their best against a Lady Thunderbirds team that is going to try and stretch the field to create scoring space for their forwards.
“They like to put a lot of space between the center backs and the front runners,” Peterson said. “One thing that we have proven this year is our ability to defend and I’ve got full faith in our back line; I think they are going to be in for a good day.
“We need to be on the ball at the opening whistle, right out of the gate.”
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