The Jesuit Dallas soccer team fell one win shy of a berth to the state tournament March 31, falling to Plano West, 2-1, in the Class 6A Division 2 regional finals in Melissa.
It was the first loss of the season for the Rangers, who finished the season 20-1-2, including an unbeaten 12-0-2 mark en route to first in District 7-6A.
In the regional finals, Jesuit fell behind early to West, but the Rangers were unable to pull off a miracle comeback as it previously did in a playoff win over Flower Mound Marcus.
West scored twice in the first 17 minutes before Jesuit trimmed the lead in half in the 33rd minute when Christian Bilger banged home a loose ball in the box off a corner kick.
Jesuit also had a chance to tie the match in the second when Cooper McGough beat West’s goalie, but a defender was able to clear the ball before it completely crossed the goal-line preserving the 2-1 advantage.
With the win, West advances to the regional final where it will face The Woodlands College Park.
Jesuit was coming off a strong showing in a 4-1 win over El Paso Coronado in the regional semifinals.
Bilger, Luca Shipley, Julian Jaime and Zane Roland all found the back of the net for Jesuit.
All four of Jesuit’s goals came in the second half after the teams went to the break in a scoreless tie.
Sage Jones made four saves in net for a Jesuit team that outshot Coronado, 12-5.
Author
