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Tunstall's Courtney Mustain (20) watches as Bassett's (22) Deidre Carter, (14) Conner Grindstaff, (12) Jennifer Blankenship, and Chelsea Ramsey (19) move the ball downfield. (Bulletin photo by Mike Wray) |
Friday, May 22, 2009
By CHASE YOUNG - Bulletin Sports Writer
Bassett earned its second straight Piedmont District tournament title with a 1-0 shutout over Tunstall on Thursday night at Ed Bassett Stadium.
“That was a tough game. It is very hard to play the same team four times,” said Bassett skipper Lindsay Favero. “We were hungry for it. It was a lucky break to have the direct kick there, and the person that came to mind was senior Sasha Doss. I knew that if anybody could get it done, she could.”
Bassett's Doss scored the game’s first and only goal when a foul resulted in a direct kick from the near corner of the 18-yard box. Doss wasted no time placing the ball before sending a high arcing bash into the right upper 90, out of the reach of Tunstall’s’ keeper.
“It was one of those things where you’re all excited and you're pumped and you're ready to go,” said Doss. “I thought it was going over and it dipped down, and I was super excited after that.”
Doss scored the game’s lone goal in the 39th minute of the first half as Bassett outshot the Lady Trojans 5-2 before catching a break on the direct kick.
“We wanted to keep them to one goal. We felt like if we could hold Bassett to one goal, we could win,” said Tunstall coach Marc Parrish. “We just failed to score. We had a couple of opportunities we just didn’t finish. I felt like we did everything we needed to do but score.”
Bassett goalkeeper Lynn Murphy recorded four saves on the night for the win.
“We’ve come a good ways this year. We’ve really come together as a team,” said Murphy. “I'd like to thank my defense for this shutout, because they really make it easier on me.”
Tunstall keeper Lauren Elliot recorded seven saves on the night.
Despite the loss, Parrish was pleased with the ability of the Trojans to make such strides this season.
“I'm thrilled for the girls. I knew if this team could score some goals then they were gonna be a real good team and a tough team to beat,” said Parrish of receiving runner up honors in the PD title match. “I’m real proud we were able to go out and do that. I felt like we did a good job. I’m real proud of them. ... I think Tunstall’s gonna be a good team from here on out.”
Both Bassett (12-2-2, 7-1 PD) and Tunstall (10-6, 7-2 PD) will advance to regionals.
Patrick County 1
Martinsville 0
Patrick County downed Martinsville 1-0 to take third place in the Piedmont District Tournament and the final bid for regionals.
“I knew that Martinsville has been improving all through the year, and I was expecting a tough game,” said Lady Cougars’ head coach Sandra Rakes. “We beat Martinsville twice during the season, but that’s in the past. When it comes to the tournament, you don’t look at any of that.”
Martinsville (3-14, 1-7 PD) had five shots on goal compared to Patrick County’s four in the first half, but an otherwise even playing field left both teams tied at 0 at the end of the half.
As frustrations started to rise, the Cougars’ Sarah Puckett caught a pass from Katie Kipreos, darted to within steps of the 18-yard box and booted the ball low and left past Martinsville’s keeper for the night’s only goal.
“Well, I didn’t play to good in the first half, and then I kinda got some fury and was ready to win it,” said Puckett of the determination behind the goal. “We were ready to go to regionals.”
In the game’s final stoppage time, Martinsville had a chance to tie and take the game to overtime. Dana Mahoney rang one off the near post amidst a crowded 6-yard box, but the Bulldogs were unable to rally for the comeback.
“The goalie wouldn’t get that,” said Martinsville head coach Luis Palemino of the shot. “It’s just the other forwards couldn’t get their balance and put it in the box. When you are playing this game, losing in the last minute, you’re just too excited (and) you lose balance and miss that.”
In an extrememly close game throughout, Patrick County (9-5, 4-4PD) recorded eight total shots on goal compared to Martinsville’s nine and, according to Rakes, this is not an uncommon trend throughout the PD.
“The Piedmont District in the girls division has gotten a whole lot tighter. Every team has gotten a whole lot better,” said Rakes. “We don’t see those high scoring games that we saw a few years ago, and that’s good soccer right there. It really is.”
Box Score
Bassett 1
Tunstall 0
First Half
39:18 Sasha Doss (no assist)
Patrick County 1
Martinsville 0
First Half
No scoring
Second Half
62:45 Sarah Puckett (assist from Katie Kipreos) |
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