Lady Cats Soccer
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Jesus DeLeon was not surprised that Friday night’s district opener against Pine Tree at home required play beyond regulation. The Lady Cats won 1-0 in overtime on a goal by Payton Pierce after a corner kick. Coach DeLeon said Pierce got an inside position and used her whole body to deflect the ball into the net. Early in the game, Pierce had hit the goal post with a shot. The Lady Cats have defeated the Lady Pirates, four out of five meetings during the past three seasons and the majority of the games have gone past regulation. Coach DeLeon called Pine Tree big and athletic and a good team. Coach DeLeon said some Lady Cats’ defensive shortcomings were exposed during games against tough opponents in the Longview Showcase. He said the entire team had a real good practice Thursdaythe day before the game. Coach DeLeon said defenders had also engaged him in some tactical discussions about defense. The Lady Cats, 1-0 in district play and 6-3-2 for the season, will play at Marshall Tuesday night. Coach DeLeon said the Lad Mavs coach is working hard to build the Marshall program.
Wildcats Soccer
Wildcats Soccer Coach Nicky Wiggins said his team may have been too amped up and excited at the start of their district opener at Pine Tree Friday night. A red card on the Wildcats proved to be too much to overcome in a 5-1 loss. Coach Wiggins said the red card play, a tripping call, was not intentional but was accidental. It forced the Wildcats to play the rest of the game including the entire second half one man short. The Wildcats trailed 1-0 late in the first half when the the card was issued but the Wildcats actually came out strong in the second half an tied the score. Chris Espinoza took a crossing pass and put a shot on goal that was blocked with hands by a Pine Tree player. Espinoza then scored on a penalty kick. Coach Wiggins said when Pine Tree took a 2-1 lead, lots of the Wildcats players’ heads dropped. Three more Pirates goals followed. The Wildcats will play Marshall Tuesday at the SSHS Track Soccer Complex field. Coach Wiggins said the Mavericks return lots of players from last year’s team including one player who is drawing attention from college programs. He scored four goals in a recent game.
