Though the Buccaneers (5-8, 4-8 Region XIV) fell to the second-ranked Apaches, it was still a historic day for the program.
When sophomore defender Nathalie Hernandez scored in the 78th minute of Saturday’s tilt, it marked the first time since 2018 – and just the second time in program history (starting in the fall of 2018) – that the Buccaneers scored against Tyler.
(Pictured: Blinn College’s Nathalie Hernandez)
“The girls played well against the number two team in the nation,” Blinn head coach Alexandria Jackson said. “For the goal to come from sophomore Nat Hernandez is even better. She is the biggest example of what it means to be a team player. She has been exemplary on and off the field and I am so happy for her.”
Tyler grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute and pushed its advantage to 2-0 in the 58th.
Blinn cut its deficit in half when freshman defender Avery Stansbury fired a free kick, which was fielded by freshman midfielder Isabelle Bass and pushed to Hernandez for the score.
The Apaches held an 11-8 shot advantage over Blinn.
Freshman Sydney Gibbs tallied six saves for the Bucs.
Blinn will play the final two matches of its season on the road, starting with a road trip to Trinity Valley Community College at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Athens, Texas. The Bucs will conclude the regular season with a trek to No. 13 Navarro College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, in Corsicana, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
