PORT NECHES — Friday’s 0-0 tie between Port Neches-Groves and Langham Creek means Indians goalie Bryce Meche is one step closer to a state record.
Meche now has 49 career shutouts. The state record is 61 set by Brenham’s Zach Riffett from 2001-02. Meche needs five shutouts from being in second in the record books.
“It just proves the hard work our defense has put in through the offseason,” Meche said. “It also proves all the effort we put into games.”
Meche had seven saves against Langham Creek Friday at the Port Neches-Groves Kickoff Classic before the game was stopped due to inclement weather. There was enough time played in the match to mean the game was in the books.
PN-G (2-0-1) has only surrendered one goal this season in three games. It came against Liberty on Thursday during a 7-1 win.
Meche had five saves later Thursday in a 3-0 win over Class 6A Lancaster.
The senior is not only the goalkeeper; he is the leader of the defense. He calls out the alignments and makes sure the defensive players are in the right spots.
Once the second half starts and there is a zero on the board for the opponents, Meche starts to do a lot of scoreboard watching.
He is checking the time on the clock and watching those seconds count down.
“I do want the record,” Meche added. “It is what I will be striving for all season. It makes me work a little harder.
“It seems like the game moves so slow in the second half if we are pitching a shutout. I catch myself counting down to the shutout.”
Meche and the Indians have two more chances for shutouts today, if weather allows games to be played at The Reservation. PN-G is scheduled to face Lufkin Hudson at 10:45 a.m. and Little Cypress-Mauriceville at 4 p.m.
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Nederland had its game against Crosby cancelled because of heavy rain and lightning. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face Hardin-Jefferson at 2:05 p.m. at the Classic on Grass Field 1.

PASADENA DOBIE 2, PA MEMORIAL 0
PASADENA — It was not a good match Friday for the Port Arthur Memorial Titans and coach Clint Hoverson against Pasadena Dobie.
Dobie won 2-0 at the Pearland-Pasadena Tournament. Memorial (0-2) was down 3-0 at half and Dobie outshot the Titans 13-6 in the match.
Arturo Villarreal had 11 saves for Memorial.
The Titans face Clear Creek at 11 a.m. today at Friendswood High School to finish off the tournament.

GIRLS
NEDERLAND 2, BAYTOWN STERLING 0
HUMBLE — The Nederland Lady Bulldogs reached the Humble tournament finals with a 2-0 win over Baytown Sterling Friday.
Madison Ledet and Meg Sheppard each scored for Nederland (2-0).
Emma Roccaforte was credited with the shutout.
Nederland faces Kingwood Park at 5:30 p.m. today in the finals.

Lady Indians go 0-1-1 at College Station tourney
COLLEGE STATION — The Port Neches-Groves Lady Indians record is full of ones after a loss and tie Friday at the College Station tournament.
PN-G is 1-1-1 after a 1-0 loss to A&M Consolidated and a 1-1 tie with Dickinson.
Mikayla Johnson scored the Lady Indians’ goal against Dickinson off an assist from Bailey Tran.
Libbie LeJeune had four saves in the tie.
PN-G returns to the tournament at noon today to face Ridge Point.