Hail to the Lady Trojans. It’s been an inspirational season filled with phenomenal firsts for the varsity soccer team.

Initially, the A.C. Jones High School ladies captured their first district soccer title in several years by defeating the Floresville Jaguars, 5-0.

Then the local ladies advanced to the sectional round of the postseason playoffs for the first time with a 4-1 victory over the Ray Lady Texans. No JHS team had advanced past the area round in the program’s history.

Last Friday night at home, the JHS girls outlasted a tough Gregory-Portland Ladycat team, 1-0, to advance to the regional quarterfinals.

To defeat our old archrival (G-P) in any sport is great, but to end their season in the playoffs is especially gratifying. Then, on Tuesday night, the Beeville girls muzzled the La Joya Lincoln Huskies, 3-0, in Laredo.

This is uncharted territory for the JHS soccer program. The Lady Trojans are now three steps beyond their best previous finish.

It seems only appropriate to recognize these young ladies for their record-setting achievements.

Providing senior leadership are eight team members: Jamie Blackwell, Sonia Calica, Mallorie Garcia, Calli Barber, Audrey Jones, Rebecca Weaver, Erin Tabb and Gabriela Chapa.

Other starters and key contributors include: Morgan McKinney, Natalie Elder, Mary Larakers, Carissa Elizalde, Jerika Fira, Alexandrea Casarez, Daisy Fish, Elyssa Mann and Raeleigh Campos. Robert Partida is their head coach, assisted by Melinda Treviño.

As they so eloquently stated when they clinched the district crown, the girls noted that it had been a 13-year-old dream come true. Most of them have played together since they were five years old in youth soccer leagues and traveling teams.

“We ended our high school careers with a bang and we’ll leave behind a legacy for future teams to strive for,” two of the seniors, Jones and Weaver, said.

Those careers will be extended for a while longer after Tuesday night’s big victory over La Joya. Next they will face Flour Bluff at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi on Friday afternoon.

Good luck, Lady Trojans, in the regional semifinals and on to the finals. We appreciate your commitment and dedication. All the way to state!