Vandegrift edges Bowie in Class 6A regional quarterfinal

Vandegrift senior Emmy Aranda didn't even have to watch the ball to know it went in.

Once he struck his free kick, it was off to go celebrate in front of the Vipers' fans Tuesday night.

His perfect shot from 25 yards out that cleared the wall and entered the side of the net in the second half of extra time gave Vandegrift a 1-0 win over Bowie in a Class 6A regional quarterfinal playoff at House Park, sending the Vipers to the regional tournament.

“As soon as we got awarded that kick, I kind of knew (it would be a goal),” said Aranda, a four-year starter. “I practice them at home and everywhere, and it's almost like a daily routine. I took the strike same as usual.”

After 95 scoreless minutes of a highquality high school match between the Austin area's two best 6A teams during the regular season, Aranda's shot broke the seal on a tense game.

He had hit the post in regulation and Yandel Andrade had hit the crossbar in the first half of extra time for the Vipers, but when Aranda walked up for the free kick, Vandegrift coach Jonathan Winship said he sensed his team was about to take the lead.

“That's just what Emmy does,” said Winship, who is in his third year leading the Vipers. “He's a special player, and special players show up in special moments.”

Vandegrift (20-2-2) had the bulk of the possession in the first half with Bowie playing a conservative style with at times 10 players back in its own third of the field.

The game opened up in the second half as both teams were more aggressive and done with feeling each other out, but the Vipers still had the majority of possession, and Vandegrift goalie Charlie Reed was rarely challenged.

Bowie (22-1-2), which entered the game undefeated and ran away with District 26-6A in the regular season, played well defensively, too. Its back line was solid all match in dealing with a plethora of talented attacking Vandegrift players, but Aranda's perfect strike sent the Vipers to the regional tournament for the first time as a Class 6A school.

Glenn 2, SA Pieper 0: Tito Don Juan and Vince Rodriguez scored and Keller Marchant recorded the shutout to keep the Grizzlies undefeated and send them to the Class 5A regional tournament.

SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Vandegrift’s Aryan Sunder controls the ball as Bowie’s Ben Tillisch goes for the tackle in the second half of the Class 6A boys regional quarterfinal playoff game at House Park on Tuesday. Vandegrift won 1-0 in extra time.