Weimer earns hat trick in Ladycats win 

Ladycat midfielder, Hailey Vandiver, is tripped up by the Saginaw keeper as she sprinted for the ball with the goal wide open.

Judging by the way the preseason schedule played out, the results of the first three matches of Aledo’s District 5-5A soccer schedule are surprising. 

After going 3-4-1 in their pre-district schedule, the Ladycats sit at 1-1-1 in district play, coming off their best performance of the season on Friday, Feb. 2, in which freshman Allyson Weimer earned her first varsity hat trick of her career in the 3-0 shutout of Saginaw. 

Meanwhile, the Bearcats have entered district play riding the struggle bus. After going undefeated in the pre-district, Aledo’s varsity boys team finds themselves in unfamiliar territory. Winless in their first three matches, the Bearcats (9-2-3, 0-2-1 in district) fell to Saginaw 5-2 on Friday.

Saginaw goalkeeper covers the ball as Emery Thompson threatens to add another Ladycat goal during District 5-5A action on Friday, Feb. 2.

Ladycats swarm teammate Allyson Weimer (18) after she scored a goal. Weimer earned the first hat trick of her varsity career on Friday, Feb. 2, as …

While Weimer did all the scoring for the Ladycats in the first match of the evening, what the score sheet doesn’t reflect is the complete domination by Aledo for all 80 minutes. Up front, the Ladycat offensive attack kept the Saginaw keeper busy for the entire match. 

Six Ladycats combined to put a dozen shots on goal through the match. Weimer put four shots on goal, scoring three times. Emaree Gibson took three shots at the net. Georgia Zirbser took a pair of shots of her own. Emery Thompson, Hailey Vandiver, and Ainsley Elmore all got a shot off during the match, as well.

Saginaw sinks Bearcats

The Rough Riders benefited greatly from the return of Mathy Tampwo in their matchup against the hosting Bearcats. Tampwo scored the first goal for Saginaw on a penalty kick less than five minutes into the first half after being taken down with an errant tackle inside the penalty area. 

Just over 10 minutes later Tampwo scored his second goal of the match putting Aledo in an early 2-0 hole they were unable to climb out of.

Freshman Trent Newton scores a goal with a header off a free kick during the Bearcats' District match against Saginaw on Friday, Feb. 2.

Robert Sloan celebrates with teammate Trent Newton following Newton's goal-scoring header on a free kick during the second half of Aledo's match …

Cole Crawford put the Bearcats on the board with 19:32 left in the first half, scoring off a free kick by Austin Randriamahefa, cutting the lead to 2-1 in favor of Saginaw.

With just 13 seconds remaining in the first half, Ben Martinez scored for the Rough Riders to give the visiting team a 3-1 advantage at the break.

Trent Newton scored the second goal of the match for the Bearcats off a header to make it a 3-2 game with 17:39 remaining. 

However, just as quickly as Aledo appeared to gather some momentum, Saginaw snatched it away with a pair of goals just 30 seconds apart, including the third of the match for Tampwo completing the hat trick in his return.

Austin Randriamahefa laments not scoring a goal during a penalty kick against Saginaw on Friday, Feb. 2.

On to Brewer

After having their bye on Tuesday, Feb. 6, Aledo’s soccer teams will head to Brewer on Friday, Feb. 9, to take on the Bears in a District 5-5A meeting. Brewer leads both the boys and girls districts. The Ladycats will take the pitch first at 5:30 p.m. with the boys match to follow at 7:30 p.m.