By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
DRIPPING SPRINGS – Davenport has never been to a girls soccer state championship game.
That changed Friday at Tiger Stadium in Dripping Springs as the Wolves (21-2-1) defeated a resilient Salado team making their second straight Class 4A state semifinal appearance.
Davenport got goals from seniors Logan Strong and Rylee Reisdorph and sophomore Ari Friedrich to pick up a 3-2 victory over the Eagles in a Class 4A Division I semifinal.
While the Wolves are making their first appearance in a state final, their opponent – Celina – will be looking to become the first girls soccer team in UIL history to win four straight state championships.
Salado (27-4) was also looking to write history of its own.
The Eagles were making their fourth state semifinal appearance but has never reached the state championship game. In last year’s Class 4A semifinals, Salado lost to Boerne in penalty kicks.
Davenport made the first strike when Strong scored from around 50-yards out on a free kick to give the Wolves an early 1-0 lead with 31:05 left in the first half.
Sophomore Avery Hibner gave the Eagles their first goal and tied the game 13 minutes later,. However, Davenport struck back with a goal from Fredrich five minutes later to give the Wolves a 2-1 lead before halftime.
Senior Sydney Lange tied the game again on a free kick from 20 yards midway through the second half.
Ten minutes later, Reisdorph scored the eventual game-winning goal on a free kick from 37-yards.
Davenport will take on Celina at 4 p.m., Thursday in the Class 4A Division I state championship at Birkelbach Stadium in Georgetown.
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