By now, and with well-earned reputations as two of the San Antonio area’s most prolific scoring threats, Johnson High School’s Mabry Williams and Camila Palacios know what comes with carrying such a distinction.
Both are used to being a focal point of opposing teams’ defensive game plans to neutralize them.
Friday proved to be no different. But in the latter stages of the first half and the early stages of the second period, Palacios and Williams managed to find breathing room. They took advantage.
The forwards each scored on spectacular 30-yard goals as Johnson blanked rival Reagan 2-0 Friday in a District 28-6A showdown at Comalander Stadium.
“I feel like every shot we take we have a 100-percent belief we’re going to make this shot,” said Palacios, a junior who is committed to Arkansas. “It’s not just a shot.”
The shot-making confidence paid off as Johnson (10-1 overall, 5-0 in district) won its sixth straight game and notched a key result in a bid to capture a second straight league championship.
Goalkeeper Addison Brown started what ended up being the clinching scoring sequence, making a save on a shot by Reagan forward Emi Durante and punting the ball nearly 70 yards up the field. The pass deflected off a defender and Williams sprinted to retrieve the carom and uncorked a 30-yard shot that caught the Reagan goalkeeper off her line for a 2-0 advantage only 8 1/2 minutes into the second half.
“I just knew we had the players to really break down their defense, and as long as we take the shots, they would go in eventually,” said Williams, a senior who signed with Oklahoma State.
Three minutes after Williams’ goal, Reagan (10-1, 4-1) nearly cut the deficit in half on Isabella Hartofelis’ free kick from 20 yards out. Brown, though, deflected the shot away to deny what appeared would have been a sure goal.
Hartofelis’ near-goal was one of the Rattlers’ few scoring chances. And while the night probably will be remembered for the long-range goals scored by Palacios and Williams, the difference might have been Johnson’s defensive performance led by Brown and defenders Krista Perez, Molly Holland, Riley Surratt and Kelly Franks.
Reagan entered Friday’s encounter averaging 3.3 goals per game. It was held scoreless for the first time this season.
“(Reagan) is really known for shooting outside the 18-yard box, so we kind of knew we had to shut it down early,” Holland said. “Just stand in front of the ball, no fouls, be smart.”
Johnson netted the game-winner in the 25th minute. After an end-to-end affair in which both teams tried to gain early control, Palacios ran onto a ball and headed toward goal. Finding no resistance, she curled a 30-yard shot that settled just inside the right post.
POSTPONED: The Johnson vs. Reagan boys showdown was halted by inclement weather late in the opening half. The contest was scoreless.
The match will resume at 5 p.m. Monday at Blossom Athletic Center’s West Field. Four minutes were left before halftime.
Lightning in the vicinity caused the game to be delayed with 18:07 remaining in the first stanza. After a 45-minute delay, the contest resumed, only to again be stopped because of lightning near the stadium.
terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1
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