Original Article on Henderson Daily News Website

SOCCER: Lions clinch playoff berth; Lady Lions fall to Pine Tree

By JIMMY ISAAC The Daily News

SOCCER Henderson junior varsity forward Ana Hinojosa (13) was stopped on several late-game attempts deep in Pine Tree territory as the Lady Lions lost 2-0 in the season finale at Lion Stadium. (Daily News staff photo by Jimmy Isaac) LONGVIEW - Jarrett Davis pitched a shutout after regulation, stopping four shots in Henderson's 4-1 victory over the Pine Tree Pirates.

The boys soccer regular season finale lifted the Lions into the playoffs for the first time since 1993. They clinched second place in District 16-4A and await their bi-district foe - Jacksonville edged Whitehouse 2-1 Friday, and both teams will meet again Monday in Lindale to determine third place in 15-4A.

Jeffrey Legg, Samuel Arellano and Tim Belmares all scored shootout goals while Davis protected the net for Henderson (13-5-8, 10-3-1).

"He (Davis) made some great saves," said Lions coach Steve Propes. "Pine Tree's shots were on goal."

Nacogdoches won the district outright with an almost-flawless 13-0-1 ledger and receive a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Kilgore edged Marshall, also in shootout fashion, to nab 16-4A's third seed. The Bulldogs will take on Corsicana in the bi-district playoffs.

Pine Tree turned to a rather obvious weapon in defending its stake as District 16-4A's top dog - defense.

With excellent field awareness and several timely saves from goalkeeper Shelli Small, the Lady Pirates claimed the District 16-4A girls soccer championship with a convincing 2-0 win over Henderson in front of more than 300 fans at Lion Stadium Friday night.

It was a disappointing ending to senior night for the Lady Lions (15-5, 8-2), who still hold the best-ever record and district finish (second place) in the program's three-year history. They advance to the playoffs with a site, time and opponent yet to be announced.

Small finished with 11 saves, and her teammates helped limit Henderson's pressure. The Lady Lions had a chance to cut Pine Tree's lead in half when Small missed a Henderson shot inside the goalie box with 21 minutes left in the second half. But fullback Eurie DeRoy cleared the ball before a Lady Lion could react.

Pine Tree scored both goals in the first half, the first coming on an Amy Holman penalty kick after an official ruled a violation against Henderson in the first half.

Sam Houston State University-signee Jaclyn Friday scored a 1-on-2 fast break five minutes before halftime to add some insurance for the Lady Pirates, who won 16-4A with a perfect 10-0 record.

e-mail comments or suggestions to webmaster@ptsoccer.org