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(WEB EXCLUSIVE) Measure of separation: Boyd rallies past Allen, now alone in second place
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@starlocalnews.com
MCKINNEY -- For a while, it seemed like the McKinney Boyd and Allen girls soccer teams were destined to repeat the history of their Feb. 19 tie.
The Lady Broncos had other reservations, highlighting a frenetic final 15 minutes with a go-ahead score for a 2-1 victory Friday night.
"These are games that will help us prepare for battles down the road," said Michele Estes, Boyd head coach. "I'm proud of the girls for finding a way to get it done there."
Gridlocked at 1-1, the Lady Broncos got the break they needed after junior Libby Martin lobbed a pass down the east sideline and into the crosshairs of unmarked sophomore Sydnie Dolzine. With the only Lady Eagle separating the forward from the net being Allen senior goalkeeper Nicole Limpert, Dolzine got the upper hand of the 1 v. 1 exchange by slinging a shot low and to the right for the go-ahead goal in the 75th minute.
"Clutch," Estes said. "That's maturity from a sophomore. It was huge of [Dolzine] to take that breath, relax and get good placement on that ball."
The Lady Eagles almost returned fire on two occasions, with junior Chloe Fowler nearly gathering for a shot in the box in the 77th minute only for Boyd senior keeper Marleigh Essler to snuff out any potential attempt. One minute later, freshman Kaylee Davis rifled off a shot from a scrum that was picked off by Essler.
"We're disappointed," said Kevin Albury, Allen head coach. "For all the effort, intensity and tactical adjustments we made, we deserved a point but [Boyd] had a little more composure and did a better job managing the game."
Allen mustered just four shots on goal, including three in the second half and three behind the boot of Davis.
One of those attempts turned out to be the Lady Eagles' most fortuitous of the night after senior Allie Johnson found Davis on a one-timer that was slung low-left and past Essler to draw the count even at 1-1 in the 68th minute.
"Allie has been out all week with a strained hamstring," Albury said. "Twenty minutes in, she said it was fine. She did a good job creating that ball and little Kaylee put it away with those quick, nimble feet."
No nifty setup would be required for the Lady Broncos' first goal of the evening, which transpired in the 51st minute after a scoreless opening half. Senior Allison Coleman fired off a shot from 25 yards out that went high and curved inside for the goal.
It was a much-needed lift for the Boyd offense after failing to score during the first 40 minutes of a half that provided ample opportunities.
Coleman and Murphy paced the Lady Broncos with a number of passes into the open to set up teammates, but the looks traveled a shade too far each time and Limpert was quick to sniff out any early attempts.
"That's kind of been the story of our team this year," Estes said. "We move the ball well and get our opportunities; it's just been finishing that's been difficult. We did a better job of that tonight so hopefully that will build our confidence going forward."
On the other end, the Lady Broncos limited Allen to one shot on goal in the first half -- a low dribbler by Davis that puttered its way to Essler.
It was tough sledding for the Lady Eagles against a Boyd defense that had posted three shutouts in its previous four matches. Allen did enough to avoid falling prey to that trend but couldn't fend off what sets up to be a manic final week of district play.
The Lady Eagles resume action at 7:30 p.m. March 19 on the road against McKinney while the Lady Broncos will travel to Clark East to play Plano East.
For continued news and coverage on the local sports scene, follow @MWelchSCN on Twitter.
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