Lady Bulldogs aspire to take their best shot tonight at home

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Lady Bulldogs aspire to take their best shot tonight at home

By Tom Halliburton

The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND -- It's understood within Nederland's girls soccer team that opponents likely will fire their best shot at the Lady Bulldogs. That's not the problem.

The problem is that Nederland needs to occasionally fire its best shot at an opponent, too.

Such a foe visits Bulldog Stadium tonight at 7 when Lumberton and senior standout Kelsie Binetti make their bid to fire their remaining regular-season shot at District 20-4A's leaders.

The most experienced of this area's soccer teams and the one with the best record to date, Nederland (14-1 and 10-0) is accustomed to withstanding the opposition's strongest bullets. Lumberton (10-2-3 and 8-2-1) is as capable as anyone of firing that shot.

Lady Bulldogs mentor Julie Johnson fully identifies with her team's recent struggles but she expects forwards such as Lauren Matt, Taylor Carlson and Ashley Bombek to have a sharp focus for tonight.

Lamar University soccer signee and Lumberton goalkeeper Binetti has distinguished herself with an outstanding season for coach Paula Droddy. The Lady Raiders have shutout nine opponents. Actually, 10 if one would include the shutout performance against Port Neches-Groves, which the Lady Indians won in a shootout.

Nederland can be equally defensive because senior goalkeeper Heather Hussey can claim 10 shutouts on her excellent resume.

These are two programs who derive a better gauge of their team's ability level when they occasionally are jumping out of their area's nine-team league. Nederland had to show a sample of character when it rallied to win a 3-2 verdict at Klein Forest. Lumberton's goalkeeper Binetti saved all 20 shots when the Lady Raiders' scoreless tie at Santa Fe three weeks ago.

By staying predominantly in their own backyard district, though, it becomes a bit more difficult for Nederland and Lumberton to know just how good their own teams really are. That may not present any problem tonight.

"It's hard to get up for every game," said the 16-year veteran Nederland mentor who has earned her spot among the region's elite soccer coaches. "This game here is of great significance. There's always a lot of passion between Nederland and Lumberton. We won 3-0 in a 'mud bowl' at their place (Jan. 30) and tomorrow night will be more of a dirt bowl.

"Our players know that they're the team to beat. They know they're going to get the best shot from every team. They're not a real emotional group but they enjoy playing the game."

Johnson feels this Nederland team's 'best shot' belongs rightfully with her best-ever squads of 1995, 2000 and 2003. Speed, control, decision-making and chemistry rank among the Lady Dogs' stronger areas.

Evan Austin's skill at sweeper and overall versatility blends well with veteran fullbacks Brittany Richmond and Mary French. The young one in the defensive corps is freshman stopper Lauren Washburn. A very competitive midfield trio of Erin Binagia, Logan Matt and Johnna Wagner can hold its own with the area's best. At the back line, there is Hussey who waited for close to three years for her opportunity to shine as a goalkeeper.

"Last year, Heather told me 'I'm going to be the goalkeeper and I'm ready'," Johnson recalled. "She's done a great job. She didn't have any varsity experience. I'm proud of her."

If Hussey can handle Lumberton's best shots tonight, the Nederland coach might be even more proud of her.