GIRLS SOCCER: Indians back on verge of regional tourney
Published 7:07 pm Thursday, April 5, 2018
- Izzy Volk, left, and Libbie LeJeune of PNG work on a soccer drill during Wednesday’s practice. (I.C. Murrell/The News)
PORT NECHES — Whatever keeps Port Neches-Groves going in the UIL 5A girls soccer playoffs is all that matters.
It happens to be two 1-0 decisions that’s kept the Indians alive. Safe to say, this team that has recorded 22 shutouts on the year was engaged in a defensive battle.
“At the same point, it’s about who can finish their opportunities as well,” PNG coach Aimee Bates said. “On one hand, you can sit back and play defense and play maybe to go into a shootout, but we wanted to score. We wanted to find a chance and finish one of our chances.”
PNG coach Aimee Bates kicks soccer balls during a drill Wednesday at practice. (I.C. Murrell/The News)
Enter Mia Delgadillo.
The junior connected on an outside shot in the first half that proved the difference in the Indians’ win over Fort Bend Elkins in Mont Belvieu on Tuesday.
“It was unexpected, but nobody was on me,” Delgadillo said. “I was there. I was like, ‘I’ve got to take it,’ and it went in. Thank God!”
On Friday, PNG will take on Porter for the second straight year in the 5A Region III quarterfinals at 5:30 p.m. at the Galena Park ISD Stadium, 15025 Wallisville Road in Houston, for a fourth consecutive trip to the regional tournament next week in Humble. PNG beat Porter 3-2 last year.
Just like a year ago, the Indians (22-3-3) are paced not just by Libbie LeJeune’s play in the net and a stellar defense, but a balanced scoring attack. Four PNG players, including Delgadillo (12 goals) have scored 10 or more goals this season.
“Mia has really turned a corner,” Bates said. “In the beginning of the season, she wanted to get inside the 6-yard box to take a shot. We talked about being more courageous and taking more outside shots.”
PNG outshot Elkins 11-4 and won the battle for loose balls, Bates added, just signs of a good offense.
“This year, we’ve had a very strong offense,” LeJeune said. “I don’t think one girl is better than the other. We work together, and we just put the ball in the back of the net when it’s needed.”
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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews
**CORRECTS number of years in a row PNG has been to the regional tournament (semifinals or beyond). PNG lost in the 2014 regional quarterfinal**
About I.C. Murrell
I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
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