By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

DEL VALLE — For years, Salado kept coming up one step short.

On Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Del Valle, the Lady Eagles finally kicked the door down.

Salado got a late goal from freshman Paige Stock that propelled the young Lady Eagles past Davenport 2-1 in a UIL Class 4A Division II state semifinal to advance to the program’s first appearance in a state championship match.

“I knew I had to finish for them, especially the seniors, to keep their season going,” Stock said.

Salado (27-1) has reached the semifinals four previous times – including the last three seasons – but has never gotten past this stage.

That changed behind a composed, balanced effort and a late winner from a poised freshman.

“It feels amazing,” said Salado head coach Michael Goos, who was the recipient of an ice bath after the win. “You can tell by how happy the girls are, and it’s the first time we’ve gotten past this game.”

The victory also served as redemption. Davenport (19-6-1) eliminated Salado in last year’s state semifinal with a 3-2 overtime victory, making Thursday’s result even more meaningful for a veteran core that had been here before.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” junior Avery Hibner said. “We’ve worked so hard this season… it truly is a great feeling.”

Salado struck first in a tightly played opening half.

With both teams generating four shots on goal, Hibner broke through in the 27th minute, finishing off a well-worked possession to give the Lady Eagles a 1-0 lead.

“We were playing possession, had a good cross, and it just happened to go in,” Hibner said. “We’ve practice that a lot.”

Davenport answered in the second half.

Abby Symon converted a penalty kick in the 57th minute to even the score at 1-1, setting up a tense final stretch between two evenly matched teams.

But Salado’s youth – a roster featuring eight freshmen and only three seniors – never wavered.

With just over five minutes remaining, Stock used her speed to break free and finish the go-ahead goal, delivering the biggest moment of her young career.

The goal came shortly after a missed opportunity in the box, adding extra fuel to the freshman forward.

“It pushed me even more… I just had to push harder,” Stock said.

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From there, Salado’s defense, which has been its calling card all season, closed the door on the Wolves.

The Lady Eagles entered the match having allowed just five goals in 27 games, anchored by freshman goalkeepers Reese Smith and Channing Finch, who have split time throughout the season.

That unit held firm again, limiting Davenport’s chances late.

“They’ve been incredible,” Goos said of his young keepers. “To do that on this stage… it’s huge for us.”

Salado’s composure under pressure, especially from its young contributors, has been a defining trait all season and it showed again in the biggest moment yet.

“I don’t know if they get rattled,” Goos said. “They just keep helping us make history.”

Now, the Lady Eagles will play for a state championship, likely against powerhouse Celina, which has won five consecutive Class 4A titles.

For a program that had never taken this step, the moment is still sinking in.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Hibner said. “It means so much… we’ve been playing together since we were little.”

Box score

	1	2	F
Davenort	0	1	1
Salado	1	1	2

Goals: Salado – Avery Hibner, Paige Stock. Davenport – Abby Symon.