AURORA | Jessica Hixson is pretty good at keeping other team’s from scoring goals.
The Grandview sophomore defender is also pretty good at scoring them when the occasion arises.
Hixson came forward and headed in a corner kick from Nicole Lyubenko to break a scoreless tie in the second half and lift the second-seeded Wolves to a 1-0 victory over 15th-seeded Smoky Hill in a Class 5A second round playoff game at water-logged Legacy Stadium. It was the eighth goal of the season for the former Rangeview standout, who transferred to Grandview this season.
Coach Tari Wood’s Centennial League champion Wolves (15-1-1), who posted their second 1-0 victory over the rival Buffaloes in less than two weeks, advanced to the 5A quarterfinals. The Wolves will play host to No. 23 Chaparral — which has upset No. 10 Ralston Valley and No. 7 Rock Canyon to make the final eight — on Wednesday.
Despite a spectacular effort in the goal from senior Megan Kneefel, Smoky Hill finished 10-6-1 in the first season under coach Wes Post.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
(2) GRANDVIEW 1, (15) SMOKY HILL 0
Score by halves:
Smoky Hill 0 0 — 0
Grandview 0 1 — 1
SCORING
Second half
Grandview: Jessica Hixson (Nicole Lyubenko)
Smoky Hill saves: Megan Kneefel (10 shots on goal-9 saves); Grandview saves: Maddie Lesjak (2 shots on goal-2 saves)