Bob Shelton Stadium lives in infamous memory for the girls soccer team.

This past year, the girls were undefeated in district for the second year in a row. They had just toppled Madison 3-1 and were ready to take on Westlake for the area championship. In the previous matchup against the Chaparrals, the Rangers won 2-1.

That was not the case on March 29, 2022. In the final 10 minutes of the match, Westlake scored and beat the Rangers 1-0. The game was over. The season was over.

`This year, the girls get a second chance at Hays against Liberty Hill for the bi-district playoff. They play at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“I know that if we all work our hardest and maintain a positive attitude, we can accomplish anything we set our mind to,” senior girls captain Avery Eckert said. “We’re all looking forward to a different outcome this time.”

Led by senior Malia Thalman, the Rangers scored 100 goals over the 2022-2023 season. Senior Sabrina Taber, a four-year varsity starter, beat the school record of 73 career goals despite being hurt for half of the regular season.

“The district we play first this year has tons of competition and lots of talent,” Eckert said, “and it will definitely be challenge. Most of the girls are ready for playoffs and ready to go again.”

The boys group has a similarly competitive rival. They face Cedar Park at home this Friday at 7 p.m.

“Compared to the beginning of this season, we’ve grown immensely as a team and have gotten to this point for a reason,” boys captain Matthew Capetillo said. “We are ready for this matchup.”

Going 11-3 in the district season, the boys placed second overall in district. This past year, they made it to the regional quarterfinal and fell 1-3 to Reagan.

“We as a team are solely focusing on the present game at hand,” Capetillo said. “We understand that they come from a tough district, but so do we.”