The Madisonville women’s soccer team rebounded from a tough 8-0 loss in Huntsville to open their regular season Jan. 5 with a 1-0 win in Splendora Friday, the program’s first victory under new head coach Kourtney Johnson.

“(At Huntsville) I think we just came out nervous,” said Johnson following Friday’s win. “We went out (to Splendora), had a game under our belt, a little less nerves and just worked together and played how we should have been playing against Huntsville.”

Madisonville’s Andrea Hinojosa broke a scoreless tie with a successful penalty kick with less than 30 seconds to play Friday, securing the team’s first victory of the season and adding much needed confidence to a roster that features just two senior leaders.

“It was an exciting game,” said Johnson. “I think it was very important for us to win tonight, it boosted everyone’s confidence and made us excited to play. After a hard loss (Jan. 5), this was something to boost us into the rest of the season and just give the girls confidence, especially with such a young team.”

The loss in Huntsville was the team’s first action in two weeks due to the winter break and losing one of their scheduled scrimmages to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lady Mustangs will compete in a tournament Thursday through Saturday in Willis before traveling to Hempstead Tuesday. Their first home action of the season will come during the Lady Mustangs Classic Jan. 21-23.

Madisonville women’s soccer is scheduled to open district play Feb. 2 against Diboll at MHS.