Landmark 21-5A win for Lady Titans/Ned Girls Win Big As Well

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Landmark 21-5A win for Lady Titans

By Tom Halliburton

The Port Arthur News

These Lady Titans have decided they intend to write a bit of history for themselves in the humble annals of Port Arthur Memorial girls soccer.

Coach Phil Mattingly's team captured its second district victory in school history and its first in four years on Friday night when Memorial defeated Channelview, 5-1, in its 21-5A league opener on the PAISD auxiliary field.

Memorial improved to 6-1 and 1-0 but they had lingered through 44 consecutive 5A district games without a victory until Friday. In fact, the win over Channelview amounted to the greatest district girls soccer win in history as well as the largest margin of victory.

Playing 5A soccer for the fifth winter, Memorial's one previous 5A soccer win occurred Feb. 14, 2003 at home when the Lady Titans turned back Baytown Lee, 3-1. Memorial will get a chance to make a little more history on Tuesday night when it will play at Atascocita. That's because Memorial's girls never have captured a girls district soccer road victory in school history, either.

But this group of Lady Titans has seemed to enjoy rewriting history... and pleasing their veteran soccer coach. Thomas Jefferson amassed a 7-6 district soccer record in the school's final year of existence (2002). Then Memorial went 1-9 in 2003 (22-5A), 0-8-2 in 2004 (22-5A), 0-14 in 2005 (22-5A), and 0-14 in 2006 (22-5A).

"A lot of these girls have been together for four years and that helps," Mattingly said. "Evelyn (Torres) has added some speed and Norma (Pulido) has benefitted from running cross country."

Memorial led 3-0 at half after two goals from Torres and one from Pulido. Plus, senior goalkeeper Jessica Cuellar's efforts proved crucial with 10 saves.

Memorial led in shots on goal, 22-18, but Cuellar and sweeper Cynthia Rodriguez delivered strong performances. The Lady Titans also received excellent midfield work from Vanessa Flores and Maricela Pulido.

Torres and Norma Pulido scored two goals each and Veronica Gutierrez added one. Flores led the assists column with two followed by Torres and Norma Pulido with one each.

Nederland girls 10, Beaumont Central 0

NEDERLAND -- Nederland never had a great deal of trouble in racking up a 10-0 win over Beaumont Central in Bulldog Stadium on Friday night.

Catching up with Port Neches-Groves and moving into a two-way tie for the girls 20-4A district lead, the Lady Bulldogs of Julie Johnson improved to 7-1 overall.

Ashley Bombek and Megan Melancon scored two goals apiece while six others added one each -- Taren Dupuis, Brittany Richmond, Lauren Washburn, Mary French, Taylor Havard, and Erin Binagia.

The win was the fourth straight district shutout and season's fifth for goalkeeper Heather Hussey.