The defense has to talk.
Without the powers of telepathy, defensive backs have to communicate with each other to make sure they pick up the right assignments, get possession back for their team and clear the ball out away from their goal.
It’s been a work in progress this season for San Marcos, but the Lady Rattlers showed their defensive prowess on Thursday tying with Austin LBJ, 0-0, inside San Marcos Toyota Rattler Stadium.
“I think this is one of the best defenses we’ve had in a while in terms of working together,” head coach Jason Carnley said. “As long as we stay healthy and talk — communication’s something we need to improve on — but I think we’re slowly, slowly getting there.”
The Lady Jaguars owned the first half, dominating possession of the ball for most of the 40 minutes and not allowing any shots for San Marcos. The Lady Rattler defense did its job, though. LBJ took 11 shots during the half, but none found the back of the net.
The hosts stepped things up offensively in the second half, relieving the defense of some of the pressure. The team launched three attempts at the goal, but couldn’t get any past the keeper, either.
Both squads picked up the pace in the final 10 minutes of the game. The ball zipped back and forth across the field, but both defenses did their jobs by not allowing any scores, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
“The first half, we were just getting shots after shots, just playing a lot of defense,” Carnley said. “So we changed the formation up, told them what they needed to do and they started moving the ball. It looked good. Hopefully that’s that cardio we’ve been doing.”
The tie marked the end of San Marcos’ non-district schedule. While Carnley has been encouraged by the development he’s seen over the first few weeks, he knows there’s a ways to go as his team faces 26-6A foes.
“You’re not gonna have time to dribble the ball. You’re not gonna have time to think,” Carnley said. “It’s going to be a chess match ... And I love that kind of challenge, and I hope we’re up for it.”
The Lady Rattlers (4-4-3) will begin district play Friday inside San Marcos Toyota Rattler Stadium against San Antonio East Central at 7:15 p.m.
