Original Article on Longview News-Journal Website

ETSOCCER: Defense, team chemistry strengths for Lady Pirates

By BOB WARD

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Daniel Rich credits his team's defense and overall chemistry in giving the Pine Tree Lady Pirates a legitimate shot at advancing to Round Rock for the state soccer tournament.

But, Rich knows Pine Tree has to take it one game at a time in the playoffs, which begin Tuesday night in a doubleheader at Lindale's Eagle Stadium against Mesquite Poteet. The Lady Pirates-Poteet match is set for 6 o'clock, with the Henderson Lions and Sulphur Springs Wildcats following at 8.

‘‘This team has really surprised me and a lot of people with how well they have come together and played as a team,'' said Rich, who has now guided the program to three straight Region II, Class 4A area berths. ‘‘They were aware of that potential. But, for them to come together has been a pleasant surprise.''

Pine Tree and Poteet have already met once this season, a 1-1 tie on Jan. 18 at Pine Tree Stadium.

The Lady Pirates, who went 10-0 in capturing the District 16-4A crown, take a 19-3-3 record into the 2005 postseason. Poteet is coming off a 2-0 bi-district win over Sulphur Springs on Friday. Pine Tree defeated Whitehouse 2-0 Friday in a warm-up match.

The Lady Bucs are led in scoring by senior forward Jaclyn Friday, who signed a Division I scholarship earlier this month with Sam Houston State University. She has 22 goals and 17 assists. Senior Stephanie Casto had 10 goals and eight assists, and junior Amy Holman has 10 goals and seven assists. Freshman Carolyn Leatherman has moved up from sweeper to forward recently and has added two goals with 10 assists.

Leatherman has been one of the anchors on defense, which also includes Berri Primo, Euri DeRoy, Hayley Grgurich and Sheila Nafrady.

In goal, senior Shelli Small and sophomore Stephanie Linch have split time, although Small has played the entire match the last three games. Pine Tree has 13 shutouts on the season, and has allowed no more than one goal in nine others.

‘‘The girls saw what happened last year,'' Rich said of the 2004 Pirates advancing to the state tournament. ‘‘They think they can do the same thing. The first two rounds of the playoffs – area and regional quarterfinals – are the toughest. I like our chances if we can get past these next two games.''

The winner of Tuesday's match will face either Nacogdoches (16-4A third place) or Highland Park (14-4A champion). Ironically, the Nacogdoches-Highland Park area game is being played Tuesday at Pine Tree Stadium (6 p.m.).

‘‘This is the first year I really feel competing against the Dallas teams that my team is prepared,'' continued Rich, whose teams are 56-16-7 over the last three seasons. ‘‘In the past, we played them in the preseason just to compete with them. This year we competed and did well, which gives my girls a sense of confidence.''

The Lady Pirates did drop a 7-1 game to the host Lady Scots at the Highland Park Tournament, but they bounced right back with a win over state-ranked Brenham, 1-0. They also went 1-1-1 at the prestigious Governor's Cup in Georgetown against teams – El Paso Riverside (3-0), Friendswood (0-1) and Wichita Falls (1-1) – that have each advanced into the postseason.

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