Grace Cory scored the match’s only goal early in the second half, and Southlake Carroll exacted a measure of revenge on Hebron in a 1-0 victory Thursday in a Class 6A Region I area-round match at Hebron.

Hebron (16-2-4) knocked Carroll (21-2-2) out of the playoffs last season in the Region I final en route to the UIL 5A (now 6A) state championship.

“They’re such a good team and we knew we’d have to face them at some point,” Cory said. “I think this is a really big game for our confidence going forward in the playoffs.”

Carroll showed it was motivated early. In the first minute, Cory made a long run down the left side to force a corner kick. Two minutes later, Brittany Martin’s free kick was headed for the top left corner of the goal, but Hebron keeper Molly Lansford pushed it over the bar.

Neither team generated many chances after that, but the Dragons started the second half strong. In the 46th minute, Cory broke the deadlock. Danielle Dennis’ cross was knocked down by a defender, but landed near Cory’s feet and she slammed it into the back of the net.

“There weren’t a lot of opportunities in this game,” Cory said. “I knew every opportunity would be important. So I knew when the opportunity was there I had to try to put it in the back of the net.”

Carroll kept Hebron from establishing its possession game, limiting the Hawks’ chances to equalize.

“When you talk about defense, sometimes you think of the back line and goalkeeper, but it was very evident tonight that all 11 players on the field were willing to transition into defense and play a role,” Carroll coach Matt Colvin said.

Carroll will play the winner of Friday night’s match between Trophy Club Nelson and Colleyville Heritage