Lady Titans become first Port Arthur ISD state playoff squad

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Lady Titans become first Port Arthur ISD state playoff squad
HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

The Port Arthur News

— BAYTOWN -- It took 11 tries but Port Arthur finally has qualified a soccer entry for the UIL's Class 5A state playoffs in its 11th year.

  By winning a 35-yard shootout, 3-1, Memorial's Lady Titans captured a 1-0 victory over Baytown Lee on Tuesday night at Lee High School.

  Coach Phil Mattingly's team was awarded two points in the District 21-5A point system for winning the shootout. The two points allowed Memorial to finish in fourth place with 9 points -- one point ahead of fifth-place Channelview with 8.

  "I think we're going to play Deer Park and we will make arrangements later but right now we're overjoyed about this," said Mattingly, the school's only head coach since its inception. "We're finally in the playoffs and it feels great. The girls did a tremendous job and they really had to overcome a lot."

  Officials disqualified two Lady Titans players by issuing red cards and forced Memorial to function two players short in the final seven minutes and one player short in the final 30 minutes. The teams went to a 35-yard shootout after they were tied 0-0 after 80 regulation minutes.

  Ana Gonzales, Yohana Anaya and Norma Avila scored Memorial's three shootout goals. Avila barely attempted her game-clinching shot right before the five-second deadline. Lee's fans and coaches tried to argue that Avila's shot should not have counted.

  Lee’s goal came from Yajaira Alvarez, tying the shootout momentarily at 1-1.

  "Our goalkeeper Brenda Pulido did a great job of intimidating Lee's shooters," Mattingly said.

  The Lady Titans had to play without three primary offensive weapons. Forward Kristeen Reynolds missed the game with a collar-bone fracture. Midfielder Evelyn Torres sustained a hyperextended knee last week. Sophomore Joanna Banda did not play due to respiratory congestion.

  Memorial (10-7-2 and 3-6-1) would face the 22-5A champion in the girls 5A bi-district round on Monday or Tuesday of next week.