Tensions flared with cheers and jeers on and off the pitch as Navarro defeated Tyler Junior College, 3-2, in a battle between top 10 women’s soccer teams Tuesday night at Pat Hartley Field.
Navarro, ranked ninth in the country, handed TJC, ranked fourth, its second loss of the season to bring the Apache Ladies’ overall record to 6-2.
Both teams played hard down the sidelines but Navarro powered down the field to put the first goal on the board in the 30th minute. After halftime, the scoring heated up with four goals coming within the second half.
After the halftime break, TJC looked to level the playing field in front of a large, cheering crowd. In the 54th minute, a shot from sophomore forward Khalisha Bond found the back of the net to tie the game.
The momentum was short-lived as Navarro answered back less than a minute later with a goal by sophomore forward Arantza Trejo to give the Bulldogs back the lead.
It took the Apache Ladies some time but they answered back in the 70th minute after freshman forward Chloe Burr scored a game-tying goal. TJC looked to lock down Navarro but the Bulldogs found a way to score in the 76th minute.
Arantza Trejo fired her second goal of the game as the Bulldogs kept the Apache Ladies out of reach to close out the game.
Navarro (4-2, 2-0) next faces Richland College at 3 p.m. Saturday in Corsicana. TJC (6-2, 1-1) next faces Butler County (Kan.) Community College at 2 p.m. Friday.