Rudder girls soccer looking to build on successful first year

A playoff appearance in their first varsity season has the Rudder Lady Rangers expecting the same, and more.

"That was exciting and we have all but two girls that return," said Rudder coach Nate Hutchinson. "We only lost two to graduation, so our goal this year is to take it another step in that direction, go playoffs and maybe win some games in the playoffs."

The Lady Rangers opened the season 0-2-1 after play at the season-opening Willis Kat Cup.

Willis was the team that handed the Lady Rangers a loss in bi-district playoffs last season and their opening loss this year. Rudder's Mara Boyd and Ashley Miller were selected all-tournament there.

The climb for Rudder has been impressive since starting the program playing strictly nondistrict games.

"That first year I started out, we finished our first game with only eight girls," Hutchinson said. "We started short and had a couple of injuries. It definitely took me hitting the hallways and talking to girls from other sport who decided they would be interested in soccer."

Now, he not only has players. He has experience on his team, but he is hoping continued success will strengthen the numbers.

"Mara Boyd is a senior this year and was the district MVP last year," said Hutchinson, whose Lady Rangers play in District 40-4A. "She's been our top scorer since the program started and is the only girl in the program that has consistently played club soccer."

Boyd is a defender on her club team and will play more there this season for Rudder, but the Lady Rangers want to keep her involved in scoring chances.

Sophomore defender Lilly Plagens was a first-team all-district player her freshman season. Junior forward Ashley Atkins also drew all-district honors.

Jenna Galliher is also on the attacking side with Sonia Herrera back in midfield.

A junior varsity player last season, Bianca Amador steps up to the varsity.

"She's really solid," Hutchinson said. "We have a lot of confidence in her. There were a couple of times [in Rudder's only scrimmage] that the defense broke down and she made some great saves."

The soccer district is significantly different from Rudder's nine-team, widely spaced district in almost every other sport. The Lady Rangers play Brenham, Magnolia, Magnolia West, Navasota, Waller and Tomball Memorial.

"I also coach football, so I know what it's like to make that Pflugerville drive," Hutchinson said. "Brenham and Waller aren't that bad compared to driving to Austin.

"There's some quality teams in there, for sure, which is another reason I like playing the playoff teams here in pre-district. When you get in district and you see Magnolia, Brenham and Waller, you're going to see those quality teams."

That will include some local stops, with a match at Bryan on Friday.

"I told the girls right after the playoffs last year that we had met our goals," Hutchinson said. "Now, let's try to advance a little bit. Definitely making the playoffs is a goal. We'd like to win one. Or two or three."