Keeper gives Packers a chance in home loss to Winona

Published 9:19 pm Thursday, September 26, 2024

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The Austin girls soccer team gave one of the top teams in Section 1A a tough time for stretches as they kept the score from getting out of hand in a 5-0 home loss in Art Hass Stadium Thursday.

Speedy senior Adrianna Brenengen gave the Winhawks most of their offense as she was able to sprint out for two first half goals to make it 2-0 and she added a third goal in the second half to make it 4-0. When Brenengen wasn’t getting loose, the Packers held Winona (9-1-2 overall) in check as Austin senior keeper Kimberly Hernandez Aguilar finished with 17 saves, including many that were on shots near the net.

“During the second half we got together and we got our energy going as a team,” Hernandez Augilar said. “It’s honestly a big difference with the (Homecoming) crowd, because we usually don’t have very many fans. It hyped us up a lot more.”

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This is Hernandez Aguilar’s first year as varsity keeper as she played the position on JV last year. She also had 30 saves in a 4-0 loss to Northfield on Tuesday.

“Coming out a little bit more on the attack was my biggest fear, but I’ve learned to do that,” Hernandez Aguilar said. “I’m going to miss this a lot, since this is my senior year.”

Austin head coach Amber Rochat said that her keeper has made big strides over the past two seasons.

“She’s fearless in the net and she’s really improved from last year to this year,” Rochat said. “She’s really dedicated to the position.”

Austin mustered one shot on goal in each half, but it was able to stay disciplined and effective on defense to limit Winona’s chances.

“I’m very pleased,” Rochat said. “The girls played with a lot of speed and they intercepted a lot on Winona’s passing game.”

The Packers (0-12 overall) will close out their regular season with a pair of road games next week. They will play at Mankato East at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 and at Rochester Century at 7 p.m. Oct. 3.