Stephanie Casto scored twice as the Pine Tree Lady Pirates tripped up the Longview Lady Lobos, 3-2, in both team's 2005 soccer season opener Tuesday night at Lobo Stadium.

The game-winner came with 9:21 to play as Ashley Johnson broke a 2-2 tie with an unassisted goal. She eluded both Longview defender Katy Sadler and goalkeeper Katie Snell. Johnson kicked in her shot from the the right post into an open net.

The Lady Lobos attacked the offensive end in the closing minutes of the contest, attempting to forge a tie. Lyndsey Womack had two attempts and Mattie Witherspoon another, but PT and goalkeeper Shelli Small wouldn't crack.

It was the second straight year, the Lady Pirates had won their opener against Longview. The two teams split a pair of games in 2004.

Pine Tree led throughout, and held a 2-1 advantage at halftime.

Longview tied the game, 2-2, at the 20:54 mark of the second half as Witherspoon kicked in a ball that had came off the hands of Small directly in front of the net. The play had been set up by Womack, who took the ball up the left sideline, covering nearly 70 yards before letting loose a rocket shot from the left side of the penalty box.

Small was able to get her hands on the ball as she made a leaping attempt. However, the rebound came right to Witherspoon, who then converted from about 15 yards away.

Pine Tree's first goal also came off a rebound as Casto was able to re-direct her own shot that ricocheted off the left post. She initially took a free kick from Tiffany Gee, who was about 25 yards out near the right sideline. The goal came with 31:02 on the clock.

The Lady Lobos tied the game as Sarah Hobbs split two PT defenders, outrunning them from about 30 yards and then beating Small at the 27:25 mark.

However, with 17:10 remaining before halftime, Casto took a crossing pass from Jaclyn Friday and scored to put the Lady Pirates back on top 2-1. She put the ball into the left corner of net from 15 yards.

Despite the two goals, Snell came up big in goal for Longview, denying several PT offensive pushes. She turned away a Casto attempt that was almost identical to her second goal with 12 minutes to play before intermission.

Both teams return to action on Thursday in the Lady Lobo Invitational. Longview takes on Kilgore at 1:30 p.m. at Lobo Stadium, while PT follows against Whitehouse at 3:30. Tourney play continues through Saturday.

In junior varsity action on Monday, the Lady Lobos and Lady Pirates tied 1-1 at Pine Tree Stadium.