McKlain Jones, Zerina Markovic and Ellett Smith scored first-half goals as Houston — which dropped to second behind Cuyahoga (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit in this week’s MaxPreps national rankings — wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 victory over arch-rival Collierville.
Houston will take a 14-0 record into the postseason and secured the No. 1 seed in the region, something that would have also been accomplished with a tie. Instead, they treated the packed house at Collierville High to an impressive display of attacking soccer — especially in the first half.
“I feel like we’ve been getting better and better and we were prepared (Thursday),” said Mustangs coach David Wolff. “We’ve been working hard over the last week getting ready for this but I know the next time we play (Collierville) it will be like the second half was the whole time.”
Indeed the Dragons (9-2-1) created several good opportunities in the final 40 minutes and might well have scored if not for some excellent goalkeeping from Laila McNamee. But the damage was done early.
Just seven minutes in, Houston’s captains got things going when Smith sent a pinpoint corner into the box that central defender Jones headed home after muscling her way into an advantageous position.
“Every single center back that’s come through, they’re tough,” said Wolff. “And part of that deal is, you get in there and scrap on set-pieces. That’s just the deal; you know that when you come here.”
About 13 minutes later, it was 2-0. Ivana Johnson — whose work down the right wing caused problems for the Dragons early in the game — sent in a fine cross that Markovic tapped home. And not two minutes after that, Smith was brought down in the box and duly converted her penalty.
It could have perhaps been worse but Dragons’ goalkeeper Lily Reafsnyder played well despite the scoreline. As it was, it was a frustrating night at the office for Collierville coach Gareth Munro’s squad.
“I just watched a bunch of kids that were desperate to win a soccer game tonight,” he said of the Mustangs. “And it showed. They’re running forward, winning headers. Fighting for every ball... Click here to read full article
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