Before the season began, Westlake coach Rennie Rebe cited a deep and experienced Bastrop side as the District 25-5A favorite.

Ten games into the district slate, however, a 3-1 shootout win by the Chaps (12-5-2 overall, 9-1 in district) Friday in Bastrop confirmed the identity of the district’s true heavyweight.

After giving up an evening goal on a free kick with 17 minutes left in regulation, the Chaps earned the win on shootout scores by Sarah Gross and Caroline Furst. The victory solidified Westlake’s position on top of the 25-5A standings, although Rebe still sees room for improvement for a team seeking to defend its district title.

“It showed a lot of character for our team to win in the shootout, but we have to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they present themselves,” Rebe said. “We had chances to win in regulation but didn’t finish.”

Alexandra Perez finished a chance in the 33rd minute to give the Chaps the lead, but scrappy Bastrop (13-6, 6-4) battled back before succumbing in the shootout.

The Bears, in a precarious playoff position with four games left on the district slate, have endured a rough second half of the season. Gracie Mansfield, who led Central Texas in scoring a year ago, was booted from the squad for her conduct following Bastrop’s loss to Westlake in the first meeting between the teams. Although Bastrop’s attack has suffered without the scoring punch of Mansfield, Rebe said the Bears have gotten better without their former star.

“I expected Bastrop to be a better team without Mansfield,” Rebe said. “When [a problem] is removed, the whole becomes more dangerous than the individual.”