The Palestine girls’ soccer team went unbeaten during the first day of the East Texas Shootout at Wildcat Stadium, but missed a big opportunity to take complete control of their group.
The Ladycats easily ran past Carthage, 4-0, to open the tournament behind a hat-trick from Xochitl Zavala, but managed only a 1-1 draw against Silsbee.
The draw came despite Palestine dominating possession in the game and easily outshooting the Lady Tigers.
“They’re a good team, a quality club and have some really good players,” PHS coach John Absalom said. “I think we should’ve come away with the W, but that’s what soccer is all about.”
After a scoreless first half, the Ladycats began to seriously up the pressure on the Lady Tiger defense.
Just four minutes into the half, Palestine’s Zavala and Alyssa Claytor had a two-on-one opportunity stopped by a nice defensive tackle from the Silsbee defender.
Five minutes later, Zavala put a shot on goal that was nicely saved by the Silsbee keeper, something that would become a theme in the half.
But, less than a minute later the Ladycats got the game’s scoring started.
After the Silsbee goal-kick following Zavala’s shot, Gabby Meyers gained control of the ball from 25 yards out and took a chance.
Meyers sent her shot goalward and it went in, putting Palestine up 1-0 and looking like it might be the move that Palestine needed to open the flood gates.
Less than two minutes later, that all changed.
After a failed Palestine throw-in led to a handball, Silsbee stood over the ball with a free kick from 35 yards out.
The ball was placed perfectly on the back post, and a Silsbee player got just enough of her head on it to redirect it past Palestine goalie Amber Gonzales for the equalizer.
From there, Silsbee merely tried to hang on for the three points, which wasn’t always easy.
Zavala sent a shot goalward from 20 yards out in the 55th minute that was denied thanks to a nice save, and in the 67th minute, Zavala helped get a run started with a beautiful through ball to Claytor, who was streaking down the right wing.
Claytor collected the ball, cut inside and let loose a shot, but it was once again saved.
Zavala collected the ball after a deflection from the keeper’s punt, and sent another shot towards goal but, once again, the Silsbee keeper was up to the task on what proved to be either team’s final chance in the game.
“We had some pretty good opportunities, but the goalkeeper did a really good job for them,” Absalom said.
Silsbee almost took the lead early on, when a shot bounced back off of the cross bar just five minutes into the contest, as Palestine played shaky in the first 10 minutes.
After that, however, the Ladycats calmed down and controlled the game for the majority of the time. But, they just couldn’t seem to find a break-through move or beat the Silsbee goalkeeper.
Still, the win and draw give the Ladycats 13 points after two games in pool play. They can advance to the semifinals with a win over Mabank and a Silsbee loss or draw to either Carthage or Mabank. If Silsbee beats both, then it could come down to goal differential or other tiebreakers.
“What I like is the kids are hustling, they’re playing with heart and they want to learn,” Absalom said of his team. “As long as you give me kids that want to learn and play with heart...that’s all we ask for as coaches.”
Palestine concludes pool play against Mabank at 8 a.m. today, while tournament games continue all day at Wildcat Stadium.
———
Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
H.S. Girls Soccer: Palestine in solid position after win, draw in ETSO
- Local Sports
-
-
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
-
H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
H.S. Baseball: Patchwork lineup still working for Cayuga
The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. -
H.S. Softball: Grapeland going strong into regional semifinals
It’s been relatively easy-going so far in the state softball playoffs for the Grapeland softball team.
The Sandiettes have lost only once so far in the playoffs, and that came thanks a forfeit in the area round against Avery, when Grapeland decided not to play rather than play without missing members at the state golf tournament. -
Local Roundup: Cayuga's Hughes named 19-A MVP
After a stellar regular season that saw them capture a district title, then a solid playoff run that ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapeland, the Cayuga softball team showed well on the District 19-A all-district teams.
Cayuga star freshman pitcher Kimberly Hughes capped her stellar year by earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award. Joining Hughes in earning superlative honors was her battery-mate Maci Poland, who was named the league’s Defensive MVP. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
