Original Article on Longview News-Journal Website

Lady Lobos edge PT for tourney title, 3-2

|By BOB WARD|

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Kristen Wilbanks weaved her way through traffic to score the game-winner as Longview edged Pine Tree 3-2 in the championship match of the Lady Lobo Invitational Saturday night at Lobo Stadium.

The senior midfielder dribbled around both a Pine Tree defender and the goalkeeper to convert from about five yards out with 8:11 left in the match. Lady Pirate goalie Shelli Small made a sliding save attempt, but Wilbanks was able to maintain her control and punch a right-footed shot behind her for the unassisted goal.

I told (PT coach) Daniel (Rich) that I wish we could play them four-five times in the preseason, because the games are always so close,'' said Longview coach Chris Yoder. The Lady Lobos and Lady Pirates also split last year's two matches.

Saturday's game was the second time in less than a week the Lady Lobos and Lady Pirates had met on the soccer field. On Tuesday, PT beat Longview by the same score in the 2005 season opener for both teams that match was also played at Lobo Stadium. The two teams are now an identical 3-1 on the year.

However, Wilbanks missed Tuesday's match due to a death in the family. Saturday's winning goal was the first of her career at Longview.

Wilbanks' goal came just one minute, 16 seconds after Jaclyn Friday had tied the match for PT at 2-2. Lady Lobo goalkeeper Katie Snell had misplayed an attempt to clear a loose ball and Friday scored into an open net at the 9:27 mark.

Lyndsey Womack scored her seventh and eighth goals in the season, getting a deflection off the left post into the net in the first half and then getting the ball to fall in just behind the right post in the second half. She gave the Lady Lobos a 1-0 lead with 3:01 elapsed into the start of the match, then put Longview back on top 2-1 at the 16:34 mark of the second half.

Womack had seven goals in the tournament, including a hat trick in the opener against Kilgore. Mattie Weatherspoon was credited with the assist on both of Womack's goals Saturday.

Pine Tree had tied the game in the first half after Longview was called for a handball in the penalty box. The Lady Lobos were trying to clear the ball on a throw-in by Friday. Amy Holman converted the penalty kick that came with 28:57 to play.

Friday led the Lady Pirates during the tournament with three goals. Holman had also converted a penalty kick in Friday's semifinal win over Henderson.

Pine Tree outshot Longview on goal, 6-5. Snell had two saves for the Lady Lobos, while Small made one.

Longview returns to action beginning Thursday in the Duncanville Kick-Off Classic. The Lady Lobos face new District 12-5A rival Mesquite Horn in the opening round.

The Lady Pirates are home Tuesday against Mesquite Poteet. The match is set for 7 p.m. at Pine Tree Stadium.

In the third place game, Whitney Gill scored the only goal as Henderson blanked Nacogdoches 1-0.

Meagan Kulak scored the lone goal for Kilgore as the Lady Bulldogs fell to Whitehouse 4-1 in the consolation final. Heather Lofties had two goals, and Jasmine Azghani and Julie Wolverton scored one goal each for the Ladycats.

Jacksonville blanked Lufkin 2-0 for seventh place with Magen Lovelady getting both goals for the Maidens.

The Longview Lady Lobo JV squad captured the Pool B championship of the Pine Tree Tournament, outscoring their opponents 31-2 in four games.

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