Panthers Advance in Soccer Playoffs
After a 3-2 overtime win over Gainesville on Tuesday, the Hillcrest girls will face defending state champion Midlothian Heritage in the next round of the playoffs. (Photo: Chris McGathey)
The Hillcrest girls and boys each came through in the clutch to continue to the third round of the Class 4A Region II soccer playoffs on Tuesday.
The Lady Panthers fought off a late comeback by Gainesville and earned a 3-2 overtime win in Denton, setting up a showdown against defending 4A state champion Midlothian Heritage in the regional quarterfinals later this week.
On the boys side, Hillcrest’s penalty-kick proficiency allowed the Panthers to prevail for the second straight game. Hillcrest surged past Life Oak Cliff in a shootout after the teams played to a scoreless tie in regulation play, and will next face Celina in the regional quarterfinals.
Also on Tuesday, the W.T. White boys kept their postseason run alive with a 1-0 win over Hebron in Grapevine. Jorge Gonzalez scored the game’s only goal, while Bryan Espinoza posted the shutout in goal for the Longhorns. WTW will face Flower Mound on Friday in the Class 6A Region I quarterfinals.
