By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

NEW BRAUNFELS – It’s been two months since Westlake had to fend off a prolonged assault by an opponent, but the Chaps endured a furious opening salvo in their second-round playoff contest.

And that, said Westlake coach Rennie Rebe, could prove just as pivotal as her team’s 3-0 win over San Antonio Marshall Friday at New Braunfels High School.

“We showed some resiliency,” Rebe said. “It’s been a while since we were tested like that, and I’m proud of how they [the Chaps] responded. That could help us down the road.”

The Chaps (21-3-1) responded to Marshall’s strong start by dominating possession throughout the second half while advancing to a Class 5A Region IV quarterfinal contest against District 25-5A foe Bowie Tuesday at Burger Center. The match starts at 7 p.m. If Westlake defeats the Bulldogs for a third time this season, the Chaps advance to Friday’s regional tournament at the Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio.

Bowie became the last team to score against Westlake with an early goal in a 2-1 Chap win Jan. 27. It appeared that Marshall (16-3-4) might equal that quick start when the Rams fired off four shots on frame in the first 20 minutes of Friday’s match.

Chap keeper Erin Wikelius met the challenge with four stops, including a kick save that snuffed a strong effort by Rams striker Sammie Mechinus in the 19^th minute.

“Erin played great,” Rebe said. “It’s been a while for her to have to make some saves like that, but she stepped up.”

Westlake’s offense stepped up in the 30^th minute to suddenly reverse the match’s momentum. Forward Sarah Gross collected a loose ball 20 yards in front of the net and found Marshal keeper Tiffany Fryer moving up to challenge for the ball. Gross calmly flicked the ball over Fryer’s head, and it bounced into the netting to give the Chaps a 1-0 lead.

“I saw the keeper coming out and just tried to get it over her,” Gross said. “It worked out.”

The Rams never recovered from their deficit. With the blustery northwestern wind at their backs in the second half, the Chaps fired off a series of shots against Fryer after the break. Westlake had five of its eight shots on frame in the second half, while Marshall managed just two long second-half shots, both of which came in the waning moments of the match.

Westlake wingers Riley Wheat and Lexi Iverson exploited Marshall’s flanks throughout the second half, and their play helped produce Westlake’s second half in the 52^nd minute. Wheat won a loose ball in Marshall territory and slipped a pass to Iverson, whose shot was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick. Iverson’s subsequent corner bounced around in the box before Katharine Noonan collected the ball and hammered home a goal from 15 yards out.

Wheat competed the scoring when she headed home a pass from Gross in the 77^th minute.