Bulldogs knock out KP in shootout, 3-1

[KFDM COOP]

Bulldogs knock out KP in shootout, 3-1

The Port Arthur News

CROSBY -- Nederland did not have very many bodies but they had enough true blue Bulldogs to survive a 1-1 tie through 100 minutes of playoff soccer Friday night.

  When faced with a winner-take-all 35-yard shootout against Kingwood Park, coach Rob Bledsoe's Nederlanders completed their 4A bidistrict occasion on a triumphant note, winning 3-1.

  The Bulldogs (17-4-2) advanced into next Tuesday night's 4A boys area round game against 17-4A champion Lindale, which received a first-round bye in the state playoff bracket. The Nederland-Lindale game will be played in Brenham's Rankin Park at 8 p.m.

  Junior marking back Jordan Landry was dealing with cramps after this marathon night of chasing Kingwood Park's sensational sophomore weapon Juan Castillo. Under-manned due to injuries and suspensions, the Nederland players bravely endured longer minutes of playing time than normal. Plus a 1-1 tie after 80 regulation minutes translated into two 10-minute overtime periods for both sides. Neither team scored during that stretch either.

  Therefore the bidistrict warriors began a shootout with Kingwood Park's visiting team going first. The Panthers failed to convert any of their first three shootout attempts while Ian Barnett and Jake Kemp drilled shots into the net for NHS on the Dogs' second and third attempts. Kingwood Park stayed alive briefly by successfully scoring on the fourth attempt and cutting the deficit to 2-1. But freshman Bay Callaway kept Kingwood Park from taking a fifth attempt with a goal that sent the Dogs into a dogpile celebration.

  "It was a good, clean game," Nederland's Bledsoe said afterwards. "We had several players like Landry, Jordan Wagner and Callaway that stayed on the field practically the entire game.

  "We went through stretches in this game when a lot of action was happening on their end."

  The Panthers led in shots on goal, 12-8, and in corner kicks, 7-1.

  The Bulldogs trailed 1-0 at halftime after Castillo secured a ball because Nederland had failed to clear it out of its own end of the field. Bledsoe sensed a drop in spirits from his troops by intermission. So he changed his alignment and the young Nederlanders responded to Rob's change.

  Senior forward Logan Butler moved up front and the Dogs changed from more of a 4-5-1 look (with four defenders, five midfielders and a forward) to a 4-4-2 in the second half.

  The change paid gigantic dividends in the sixth minute of the second half. A Kingwood Park player was whistled for a foul on Butler near midfield. Officials awarded Barnett a direct free kick from about 45 yards out. The junior midfielder's shot was misjudged by the Panthers' goalkeeper and it caromed off his hands and into the net.

[sharkfutbol]

Playing in this district finally paid off... all the overtime games and shootouts the dogs have been sent to ..... well paid off... experience is the best teacher.... o yea and of course great coaching... ;D  Cant wait to see the highlites on fox sports .com........... 

[CoachL]

Nice Win for the Bulldogs and Coach Bledsoe! Congratulations

[dualdellortos]

See ya'll in Brenham.  Last time ya'll were here in the play-offs, I believe ya'll beat Waco Midway in the regional semi's in 2001 setting up a match with Brenham in the regional final.  If things go well on Monday for the Cubs, ya'll will again be playing for a chance to face Brenham.

Coincidence?  Destiny?  We'll see! 

[jcb6790]

Congrats!!! Keep it up