The Midlothian Lady Panthers celebrate after the first of two goals Friday against Red Oak. (Fred Phipps/KBEC Sports)

Lady Panthers soccer defeats Red Oak, finishes 14-5A first half perfect

Travis M. Smith February 17, 2020 Girls Soccer, Midlothian High School, Red Oak High School 1,672 Views

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

MIDLOTHIAN — So far so good for the Midlothian Lady Panthers during district play on the soccer pitch, as the team completed its perfect run through the first round of 14-5A on Friday.

The Lady Panthers defeated neighboring rival Red Oak, 2-nil, at the Roesler Athletic Complex in Midlothian behind a shutout in goal by Zoe Boldt. The clean sheet was her eighth of the season.

“I think we played very well and I think that the girls played very smart and did a great job covering each other,” Midlothian head coach Austin Guest told KBEC Sports. “They did just about exactly what I asked them to.”

He added, “We still need to tighten a few things up and make a few fewer mistakes and capitalize on our chances when attacking a little better.”

Sydnee Garner scored the opening goal on a Mariah Griffin assist. The 1-nil lead held late into the second half. Taylor Thibodeau then sent a Kaleigh Nazier assist into the back of the net.

When assessing the win, Guest also pointed to the all-around play of senior midfielder Tori Sorrels as a positive for the Lady Panthers.

“I think we all played really well,” Guest explained, “but Tori had a very good game. I had to play here in a couple of different spots and she adjusted very well.”

Sorrels, who currently has two goals and seven assists on the season, noted she is just “trying to enjoy and take everything in and leave everything out [on the field]” during her third and final season as a varsity member.

“We all need to keep working hard and keep pushing to be leaders on the team,” Sorrels said. She advised the younger Lady Panthers to “make your own mark on the team, help carry the team and do your best to connect the team and do whatever you can.”

UP NEXT

Midlothian improved to 12-1-2 on the season and a perfect 6-0-0 in District 14-5A with Friday’s win. The Lady Panthers will now shift focus to the second half of district play and a 6 p.m. tilt at home Tuesday against Waco University.

Red Oak, meanwhile, fell to 10-3-1 on the season and 4-1-1 in district play. The Lady Hawks return to action at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the road against Joshua.