Ladycats defeat Lamar 2-0, get first shot at regional final

Photos/Jim Jackson Whitehouse advances to the regional finals with a 3-0 win over Rosenburg.

For a team with an already rich history, the Whitehouse Ladycats have now added one more milestone to their record: a trip to the regional finals.

The Ladycats will face Friendswood Friday in the regional final match-up, a repeat of last year's semifinal contest that Whitehouse lost 2-1 after an overtime and shootout. The game will be 7:30 p.m. at Bryan High School in College Station.

Whitehouse advanced Tuesday night with a 2-0 win over Rosenburg Lamar Consolidated. It was the team's fourth straight playoff shutout.

"I could not have done it without the defense; it is a team effort," said Ladycat goalie Carly Page. Whitehouse's defense was phenomenal against Lamar, holding their opponents to just four firsthalf shots on goal. The defense is led by Kayla Mason, Elise Dollahite, Ashley Langley and Brittany Millican.

Although Whitehouse didn't score until the second half, it wasn't for lack of trying. The Ladycats took 25 shots on goal in the first, with the opposing goalie making several outstanding leaping saves.

Brittany Millican

The second half saw Whitehouse peppering the goal again with 23 shots, but this time two of the attempts found a spot in the back of the net.

The first was with Candace Campsey serving the ball across to Lindsay Pritchard for a beautiful goal. This boosted the Ladycats spirits and they tried even harder for the second goal, with Elissa Parker assisting Pritchard.

After downing Lamar, the Ladycats watched Friendswood defeat 12-4A district rival Lindale 3-0.

The Ladycats are ready for the Friendswood rematch and predict this year's outcome will be different.

Senior Brittany Millican summed up how the girls would prepare for the game: "Take the things that push you, good and bad, treat them as fuel, and when you walk on the field strike the match."