CEDAR CREEK — This is one that is going to sting for a while.
Austin High scored with two seconds left in regulation to tie the game and then went on to defeat the Bastrop Lady Bears 4-3 in a sudden death shootout.
Ironically, it was Kaylyn Butler’s shot in sudden death that just missed by inches was what lifted the Lady Maroons to the win.
Before that, Butler led a charge that eventually gave Bastrop the lead after Austin High built a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game.
The Lady Maroons controlled possession for the first 15 minutes of the game, but Bastrop wasn’t without its chances.
Butler and freshman Haley Mendel were just short on two separate occasions before Mendel found the back of the net to finally put Bastrop on the scoreboard.
Mendel caught a deflection by the Austin High goalkeeper after a shot attempt by Kendall Ayers, but the Lady Bears still trailed by a goal.
In the second half, it was Rebekah Spalding who ended up tying the game.
Spalding scored in the 52nd minute catching a loose ball off a deflection.
With 10:50 left in the game, Butler was in the right place at the right time, catching another loose ball to put Bastrop ahead.
Bastrop’s defense and goalkeeper Jackie Navarette fought off every attempt by Austin High to tie the game.
As it looked like the Lady Bears were going to pull it out, Austin High sneaked in a goal with two seconds left to tie the game to send it into a shootout, Bastrop’s third straight.
In the shootout, Austin High scored on their first three attempts, while Kara Edwards’ first shot was blocked.
Kattie Patterson and Kerri Kelley scored to keep Bastrop in it and Navarette blocked the final two shots.
It was up to Stacy Smith to keep Bastrop alive, which she did sending it into the sudden death.
In the sudden death, Austin High scored and put all the pressure on Butler, who’s shot was deflected, but looked like it was going to roll in. However, it was just a couple of inches short.
The Lady Bears will close out the regular season on March 12 against Bowie.