Whitehouse set for regional quarterfinals

Photos/Jim Jackson

The Ladycats cut their Area opponents down to size with a 5-0 win over Lumberton Monday night. Whitehouse will now face the winner of the Kingwood Park - Henderson game in the regional quarterfinals.

"It feels good to have this big accomplishment," said senior Jasmine Azghani. "We have worked hard as a team this season."

The Lumberton victory was the group's third straight shutout; Whitehouse also defeated bi-district opponent Jasper 6-0 last Thursday. Both games were played at Lufkin's Hudson High School soccer field.

Although the Ladycats dominated Lumberton from the outset, striking 28 shots on goal to their opponent's three, they scored just once in the first with Elissa Parker finding back of the net on a corner kick by Kelli Hill.

"Lumberton came out hard and put up a good fight, but I believe we wanted it more," said senior Brittany Millican.

Lindsay Pritchard scored the first goal of the second half. Taking a pass from Hill, Pritchard used fancy footwork to pull the goalie out of the box and then quickly dribbled past for the score.

Kayla Zambrano made it 3-0 when she scored on a beautiful cross from Candace Campsey.

Pritchard notched her second goal of the night with another display of her ballhandling skills. Dribbling between three defenders, she popped the ball high and fast into the net.

As second half action continued, play becoming increasingly physical as Lumberton's frustration mounted.

Whitehouse scored its fifth and final goal on a penalty kick after Campsey was taken down in the box by two defenders in a sandwich play. The Ladycats matched Lumberton's aggression by pounding away at the net, outshooting them 19 shots on goal to four.

"It feels amazing," said senior Kayla Mason. "We had awesome teamwork tonight."

This is the second straight Area championship for the team which broke that playoff barrier last year.

The Ladycats defeated Jasper 6-0 in the round of bi-district.

Whitehouse shot 27 times to two for Jasper in the first half.

The Hudson field is smaller than Whitehouse usually plays on but the girls adjusted their game well.

Parker started the scoring with an assist by Pritchard. The second goal was scored unassisted by Brittany Millican from the 55-yard line.

This shot changed the game for Jasper as they were visibly shaken by the end of the half.

The second half was again dominated by Whitehouse with 30 shots on goal to Jasper's four. Four found the back of the net.

Campsey scored with an assist by Parker, and Zambrano found the goal with an assist from Pritchard.

Pritchard then hit her own goal, with an assist from Azghani, before setting up Misty Preast for the final goal of the night.

The Ladycat soccer team shut out their first two playoff opponents, with a 6-0 win against Jasper and a 5-0 victory over Lumberton. The team will next play in the regional quarterfinals.