Tension in Tomball
Tomball Soccer Beats PNG in PKs; Advances To 1st Regional Final
After 100 scoreless minutes, Tomball girls soccer (22-0-5) prevailed 0-0 (4-1 in shootout) in the 5A Region III semifinal match against Port Neches-Groves (23-4-3). VYPE Player of the Game Priscella Caruso kept the Indians in check with her saves throughout the game.
"The kid's a sophomore," said Tomball head coach Martha Freisleben. "The kid can't even drive a car yet. Not even 16 yet, and she's in there winning games for us in 5A, so I can't say enough about her."
The low-scoring affair didn't have a lot of goal opportunities until late. Tomball had the teams' best shot in the final minute of regulation, but Port Neches-Groves' goalkeeper Libbie Lejeune made a key save to keep the game scoreless.
Caruso kept the Cougars on track, blocking a Port Neches-Groves' attack in the first overtime.
Because Tomball had the momentum heading into penalty kicks, it wasn't a suprise when it ran away with it. Elaine Griffin was the first Cougar to line up, and flew the ball past Lejeune for the first goal of the game. It set up her team's 4-1 spurt.
With the victory, the Lady Cougars clinched their first-ever trip to the regional final. They will take on the Kingwood Park/Cedar Park winner at Humble ISD's George Turner Stadium, starting at 11am on Saturday.
"We didn't have the best first half [today], so we know what we need to do to have a better game [tomorrow]," said Griffin.
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