By By Cassie Chance/Special to The Star
Jan. 31, 2001
Someone once said, "You never lose. You just run out of time."
If that's the case, then the West Jones Mustangs could have really used some extra time against Northeast Lauderdale on Tuesday night.
The Mustangs and Trojans both found themselves in a must-win situation Tuesday, with the winner of the match being crowned the Division 5-4A soccer champ, while the other would have to settle for second place.
For Northeast Lauderdale, the past two seasons have ended in third-place finishes and a win would capture the Trojans their first-ever division championship.
After the last meeting between the two, which Northeast won in a shootout, both teams were concentrating on winning the defensive battle that proved to make a difference in the game.
In the end, Northeast came out on top 2-1 with help from an unfortunate West Jones error.
The battle on-field lasted almost the entire first half before Adam Saul gave West Jones the early 1-0 lead at the half.
Northeast rallied in the second half. The Trojans' first goal came when Jeff Washburn's kick was saved by Mustang goalie Kyle Johnston. However, as Johnston went to throw the ball in, it crossed the plane. The official's ruling tied the game at one.
After the call, the Trojans got on the board when Drew Smith scored to put the Trojans up 2-1. Smith's goal was the deciding factor that gave the Trojans the win.
Northeast head coach Jim Matthews credited his team's ability to step up and come from behind to win.
Northeast now hosts a first-round state playoff game Saturday at 1 p.m. The Trojans will host the Division 8 runner-up, either George County or d'Iberville.
Northeast girls 6, West Jones 0: After making it as far as the state semifinals last season, the Northeast Lauderdale Lady Trojans were one win away from having a shot at the state title.
However, after dropping a close 3-2 decision to Pearl, the Lady Trojans had to settle for third place.
Now, under first-year head coach Charles Coleman, the Northeast girls found themselves in familiar territory. The 6-0 shutout Tuesday night gives Northeast a perfect record in division play.
The Lady Trojans came out strong in the first half. Danielle Smith scored the first two goals of the evening, with the first coming off an Elyse Parker
assist. It was then Smith who assisted Melissa Brents' shot to give the Lady Trojans a 3-0 lead.
It wasn't long before Northeast struck again. Ivy
Rawson and Parker both found the back of the net to give Northeast a 5-0 edge at the break.
Northeast keeper Raleigh Odom had only one save the entire evening. The Lady Trojans then put the game away in the second half on Capri Norris' goal.
The Lady Trojans ended the evening with 38 shots on goal.
Northeast will host the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs Saturday at 10 a.m. against Division 1 runner-up Hernando.