Chiasson strikes early in PN-G's 3-0 win

By Tom Halliburton

PORT NECHES -- Chloe Chiasson warmed up The Reservation a bit more than Nederland coach Julie Johnson would have preferred on Tuesday night.

  A Port Neches-Groves junior with a flair for excelling as a playmaker, Chiasson scored twice in the first 15 minutes and the Lady Indians utilized superior speed plus a faster artificial surface to blank the Lady Bulldogs 3-0.

  The defending District 38-4A champion, PN-G's girls (11-5, 4-0) have scored Nederland 9-0 in three meetings over the last two seasons on the faster field turf of Indian Stadium. Coach Aimee Bates' speedster won 2-0 and 4-0 on the carpet last year.

  Chiasson, Megan Elam, Natalie Hager and PN-G's excellent speed would make a difference again... especially Chiasson, as the Lady Indians would command a 22-12 margin in shots on goal.

  Nederland (8-2-1 and 3-1) had several more second-half scoring opportunities than it did early.

  "I thought we came out really strong," said PN-G's Bates. "We had some good anticipation and it came down to ball control and winning some 1 on 1 opportunities. We have good speed but I thought (Nederland sweeper Lauren) Washburn really contained our speed pretty well."

  Chiasson took the ball at midfield and beat a defender down the boundary before knocking in a shot into the far post in the 10th minute. A crossing pass from Elam pulled a defender out of position to stop Chiasson's angle on the second goal in the 16th minute. Elam knocked home a 25-yard shot in the 21st minute, giving PN-G a commanding lead midway into the opening half.

  "Their transition game just took over," said a complimentary NHS boss Julie Johnson. "We had some looks and we were on the attack more in the second half. We made some of the adjustments in the second half that I feel we needed to make.

  "We can take this game and improve on it. We're looking forward to playing them again."

  Bates changed formations at halftime, tightening up the gaps between her forwards. She was pleased with the work of PN-G seniors Britnee Vigee and Jenna Rhame and the defense.

  PN-G will entertain new 38-4A entry Bridge City on The Reservation this Friday at 7 p.m. Nederland will host Beaumont Central on Prather Field this Friday at 5:30 p.m.

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