By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Sept. 26, 2003
The Lamar Lady Raiders played a flawless game up until the midway point of the second half. The Pillow Academy Lady Mustangs only needed one goal to slip past Lamar by a final of 1-0 Thursday in local prep soccer action.
Lamar head coach Eddie Escobar was proud of the way his team played throughout the entire game.
Lamar had its chances very early in the match, but they would be wasted. The Lady Raiders earned four consecutive corner kicks in the opening minutes of the match, but couldn't salvage the first score of the contest.
Pillow Academy continued to put the extreme pressure of the Raiders with some great offense near the midfield. Katie Summers gave the Lady Mustangs a perfect chance to score a goal on a great crossover pass, but the referee called offside on Pillow to give possession to Lamar on a free kick.
The Lady Raiders would take advantage of the free kick and move the ball down the field to try and set up a goal. Ashley Bridges found a great opening across the middle and was wide open for a goal, but the shot sailed over the net to give Pillow a goal kick.
Pillow Academy finished the first half with five shots on goal, while Lamar could only manage a pair of shots.
The Lady Mustangs finally found the opening they needed with the game-winning goal midway through the final half. Amy Beckwith notched the goal with about 20 minutes remaining to put Pillow up 1-0.
The goal was set up by a beautiful crossover pass from Nancy Powers. Lamar could not overcome the extreme defensive pressure from the Lady Mustangs and dropped the one-goal decision.
Lamar fell to 6-2 overall with the loss and returns to action next Thursday at home with the first round of the playoffs. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m.