UIL Class 4A Region III soccer tournament http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=97b099edff/height=//width= Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:41:06 GMT Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:33:52 GMT 1 en-us <![CDATA[10:42 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:42:13 GMT Welcome to the party guys. We're about 20 minutes away from the first of a staggering four straight regional semifinal games featuring Central Texas sides. The Midway girls are starting us off with Fort Bend Ridge Point at 11 a.m. ]]> <![CDATA[10:45 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:45:18 GMT Was just informed Ridge Point girls' soccer is a first-year varsity program. This isn't just the Lady Panthers' (that'll be fun -- Pantherettes vs. Lady Panthers) first regional trip. It's their first year in the playoffs. Also heard the school is shipping up three bus-loads of fans for the occasion. Waco is about 130 miles from Turner Stadium, and I think Ridge Point is maybe 15 minutes. ]]> <![CDATA[10:48 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:48:49 GMT And what's at stake for Midway -- a chance to make it three straight trips to the state tournament. Friendswood, a perennial land mine in this tournament, is alive on the other side of the bracket. I'll get a look at the Lady 'Stangs in a few hours. ]]> <![CDATA[10:49 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:49:50 GMT I'm stocked with 5-hour energy and a few protein bars in case I can't make it out of the stadium today. Locked and loaded. ]]> <![CDATA[10:52 Comment From MHS fan]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:52:11 GMT <![CDATA[10:52 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:52:44 GMT Bringing up the rear for Midway as the Pantherettes walk out for the intros is midfielder Aleah Davis, clad in a black t-shirt and game shorts. Must be especially tough for her. The senior UTEP pledge tore her ACL in January and won't feature in the playoffs. Can't help but wonder how salty this group would be with her healthy. ]]> <![CDATA[10:57 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:57:12 GMT We're all Anthem'ed up. It's go time. ]]> <![CDATA[10:59 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:59:01 GMT Ridge Point is a second-year school that carved its student body from the two existing Fort Bend schools. There are no seniors on this team, just one junior and the captain is a sophomore. For those of you handicapping this one, Midway should hold the heavy edge. ]]> <![CDATA[11:00 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:00:45 GMT Looks like those Fort Bend buses just showed up. Students clad in purple streaming in now. Probably a couple hundred of them in all. ]]> <![CDATA[11:01 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:01:23 GMT I'd estimate Midway's cheering section at around 50, which is about right for a mid-morning game on a weekday more than two hours away. ]]> <![CDATA[11:07 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:07:23 GMT Five minutes in and Midway's beginning to settle in. It's become obvious that Ridge Point isn't all that proficient on the ball. ]]> <![CDATA[11:11 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:11:37 GMT Alyssa Paschal's header off a corner sailed just high. Pretty close to the game's opening goal. ]]> <![CDATA[11:14 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:14:51 GMT Midway senior Anna Dorsett whips off our first shot on goal 11 minutes in. It's handled fairly easily. Ridge Point is struggling. ]]> <![CDATA[11:17 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:17:39 GMT At this point, Ridge Point's fans are cheering any time the ball crosses midfield. It hasn't happened often. ]]> <![CDATA[11:22 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:22:08 GMT With 22 minutes left in the first half, the game has slowed down. Midway's already through its first big substitution. Ridge Point just got away with a shove in the box that could have been a penalty. ]]> <![CDATA[11:27 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:27:10 GMT I haven't abandoned you, just not a lot going on. Lots of throw-ins in the middle of the field. Not a lot of action over the last five minutes. ]]> <![CDATA[11:31 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:31:53 GMT Danielle Hardin tests Ridge Point keeper Meghan Brady from the edge of the box, and Brady shakily punches away the effort. Brady has a mistake or two in her if she's pushed. ]]> <![CDATA[11:36 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:36:09 GMT Midway's Baylee Baccus nearly redirected a cross past the keeper, but she was offside anyway. Seven minutes until half and we're still scoreless. ]]> <![CDATA[11:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:38:26 GMT Another near-miss from Midway as a cross sweeps past the goalmouth without anybody on the other end. ]]> <![CDATA[11:39 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:39:54 GMT Midway got a free kick into the box, but the ball ping-ponged around a few feet before being cleared out. Three minutes until half. ]]> <![CDATA[11:42 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:42:28 GMT Ridge Point earned a free kick off a handball about 25 yards from goal with a minute left. Zoey Pawlik's shot from the spot was surprisingly close but missed just high. That was RP's best chance all half. ]]> <![CDATA[11:43 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:43:56 GMT And that's half. Midway 0, Ridge Point 0. The Pantherettes will feel hard done by, as they missed a few good goal opportunities. Ridge Point is more than happy with this scoreline. ]]> <![CDATA[11:48 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:48:47 GMT And out come the Ridge Point-purple cowbells. At least they're not vuvuzelas, I guess. ]]> <![CDATA[11:53 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:53:52 GMT The wind is with Midway in this half, so we'll see if that makes a difference. We're about ready to get going on the second stanza. ]]> <![CDATA[11:54 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:54:19 GMT In Ridge Point's last three playoff games, all six goals came in the second half. Food for thought. ]]> <![CDATA[11:57 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:57:36 GMT Anna Dorsett had had enough of this scoreless draw nonsense. She let loose on a curling 30-yard blast that grazed the keeper's fingertips before falling in. 1-0 Midway less than two minutes into the second half. ]]> <![CDATA[11:59 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:59:20 GMT Not that it was an easy save, but it could've been parried. I think the message at half was just to get shots on frame and force their keeper to work. That would've been my message, anyway. It was a deserved goal. ]]> <![CDATA[12:05 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:05:32 GMT Eight minutes into the second half and Midway is still pushing up. Free kicks and corners in abundance. ]]> <![CDATA[12:13 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:13:06 GMT 2-0 Midway. Dorsett is in with an assist this time, leaving off a shot for Danielle Hardin to power in the goal from 15 yards. About 23 minutes to play, and Midway has put its stake in the ground. ]]> <![CDATA[12:17 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:17:07 GMT Another doable save, but Hardin was quicker. Ridge Point just got away with another take-down in the box that very well could have been a penalty with 20 minutes left. ]]> <![CDATA[12:18 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:18:45 GMT 3-0 Midway. Dorsett runs onto a long pass, pulls ahead of the D for a breakaway and finishes past Brady again with 19 minutes to play. The Pantherettes are doing whatever they want at the moment. ]]> <![CDATA[12:19 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:19:08 GMT For those keeping count, that's two goals and an assist today for Anna Dorsett. ]]> <![CDATA[12:22 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:22:34 GMT Friendswood is warming up on the far side for the next game. I'm sure they can't help but think ahead to tomorrow, even with Lorena coming up. That's a rematch they'll surely want. ]]> <![CDATA[12:29 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:29:02 GMT About nine minutes left. The result in this one is a formality. Chances have been nonexistent for Ridge Point in the second half. ]]> <![CDATA[12:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:38:17 GMT Lauren Vasquez knocks in a cross with about a minute left, and Midway sets the final margin a 4-0. I'll be back shortly with coverage of Lorena-Friendswood. ]]> <![CDATA[12:52 Comment From MHS Mom]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:52:15 GMT <![CDATA[12:52 Comment From MHS fan]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:52:17 GMT <![CDATA[12:53 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:53:18 GMT My pleasure. Midway's win means I'll definitely be back at Turner Stadium tomorrow for the girls' final. We'll see here shortly if Lorena can join them. ]]> <![CDATA[12:58 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:58:24 GMT This is kind of an area role reversal for this game. Whereas Midway was a heavy favorite in the opener, Friendswood assumes that moniker in this one. This is Lorena's first appearance at the regional tournament, while Friendswood has been here the last three years. Three years ago, they made state. ]]> <![CDATA[1:03 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:03:02 GMT We're juuuust about ready to get started. Four minutes til kickoff. ]]> <![CDATA[1:14 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:14:53 GMT We're on the field ready to roll. ]]> <![CDATA[1:18 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:18:27 GMT This is not a vintage Friendswood girls' team, but they've still had a good year. No D1 prospects, so Lorena may be able to squeeze in a goal or two here. ]]> <![CDATA[1:22 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:22:07 GMT Early sparring here in the opening seven minutes. About an equal share on possession and no real threats yet. ]]> <![CDATA[1:27 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:27:18 GMT Friendswood has assumed command of the possession battle, but they have yet to turn that into any substantive goal-scoring threats. Impressed with Lorena's defense, which went 100 minutes on Tuesday without allowing a goal. ]]> <![CDATA[1:30 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:30:01 GMT Friendswood finally punctures Lorena's defense after 13 minutes. Bridget Richie knocked in an un-cleared cross to stake the Lady Mustangs to an early 1-0 lead. Not what Lorena needed. Now they'll play from behind. ]]> <![CDATA[1:37 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:37:01 GMT Kaitlyn Wallace put in Brianna Johnston for a breakaway with 20 minutes left in the half, but the ball ran away from her and the keeper was over it just before she got there. That was by far Lorena's best (and only) chance. ]]> <![CDATA[1:37 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:37:57 GMT It was a brilliant pass from Wallace. Looked like she brushed it perfectly and led Johnston between two defenders. Johnston just couldn't put a soft enough touch on it. ]]> <![CDATA[1:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:38:43 GMT And then Johnston picks up a yellow card for dissenting a call. Not a great couple minutes for Lorena's all-time leading scorer. ]]> <![CDATA[1:41 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:41:38 GMT I will say this: Lorena has a pretty slick looking crest this year. I don't remember them having a team shield last year. The program has come a long way in a short time. ]]> <![CDATA[1:47 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:47:04 GMT There's No. 2 for Friendswood. A low-rolling cross fell to an unmarked Kristen Boren, who took her time in finishing her chance in the right corner with 11 minutes left in the half for a 2-0 lead on Lorena. ]]> <![CDATA[1:52 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:52:16 GMT Friendswood is still pushing forward. Brianna Johnston hasn't come back on since seeing yellow about 15 minutes ago, and Lorena has barely moved the ball out of its own penalty area. ]]> <![CDATA[1:52 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:52:40 GMT Five minutes left in the half and Friendswood leads 2-0. ]]> <![CDATA[1:56 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:56:41 GMT Friendswood dings the crossbar on a long-range effort with a minute to go. ]]> <![CDATA[1:57 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:57:44 GMT And that's half. Friendswood are deserved leaders, 2-0, after the first 40 minutes. Lorena is up against it here with 40 minutes to save its season. ]]> <![CDATA[2:08 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:08:33 GMT We're just about ready to get going on the second half. We'll see if Brianna Johnston comes back on. ]]> <![CDATA[2:12 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:12:45 GMT We're off, and Johnston and Wallace are paired back up top. The Lady Leopards need to start generating chances, which may mean some Route 1 soccer is in order. It's a well-known tactic that the English are historically famous for: forget the intricate passing approach, what the Spanish call tiki-taka, and boom through balls far up the field for the forwards to find. It can lead to some surprising goals off generous hops that these synthetic fields provide. ]]> <![CDATA[2:14 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:14:55 GMT I almost called it football but caught myself. I'm sure some back in the office would be all over me for that. ]]> <![CDATA[2:20 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:20:37 GMT Friendswood has become increasingly more dominant as this game's gone on. We're 10 minutes into the second half and Lorena's barely had a touch. ]]> <![CDATA[2:21 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:21:34 GMT Make it 3-0 Friendswood. With 29 minutes left, Landry Lowe powers in a free kick from about 30 yards. Lizzie Lamar got two hands to the low delivery, but she couldn't manage to push it wide. ]]> <![CDATA[2:29 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:29:15 GMT Lorena's still looking for something on the counter, but it's not been there all afternoon. Other than Johnston's one chance that the keeper snared with 20 minutes in the first half, it's been all Friendswood. ]]> <![CDATA[2:37 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:37:03 GMT Game has really slowed to a crawl. Seems like Friendswood is content to just coast this one out. 14 minutes left, still 3-0. ]]> <![CDATA[2:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:38:54 GMT Oh my, that was pretty, Brianna Johnston's free kick from about 30 yards looped up and then down into the top left corner with 14 minutes to play. 3-1 Friendswood. Johnston adds one more to her illustrious career goals tally before riding off into the sunset. ]]> <![CDATA[2:43 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:43:33 GMT Friendswood adds another goal. Sheena Montalban caresses a finesse shot into the far corner for a 4-1 lead with nine minutes to play. ]]> <![CDATA[2:44 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:44:36 GMT I butchered that last name. Mohebalian. ]]> <![CDATA[2:45 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:45:20 GMT Either way, it was a well-taken goal. Lorena has been under water for most of the game. Their only shot on goal was... a goal. ]]> <![CDATA[2:52 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:52:07 GMT And that will do it. Friendswood tops Lorena 4-1 to set up a Midway-Friendswood regional final for the fourth straight year. Congrats to Lorena for a great season. After a short recess, I'll be back to get us started on the boys' bracket, which opens with Midway and Houston Sharpstown. ]]> <![CDATA[3:41 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:41:46 GMT According to the countdown clock, we're about eight minutes from getting festivities started on Midway-Sharpstown. This should be interesting, because for me, Midway has the best shot out of all four of these area teams at winning state. At 26-0-1, they've more than proven their mettle. ]]> <![CDATA[3:43 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:43:25 GMT But as we all know, a bounce here or there can ruin everything. Midway's attack is as stacked as any team I've seen over the last couple years, but you never know. ]]> <![CDATA[3:43 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:43:50 GMT And Sharpstown has an awesome mascot: the Apollos. Brilliant. ]]> <![CDATA[3:58 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:58:18 GMT Through my third anthem of the day, and Midway-Sharpstown is about ready to kick off. ]]> <![CDATA[3:58 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:58:42 GMT I've become well acquainted with Whitney Houston's rendition. Quite stirring. ]]> <![CDATA[4:00 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:00:13 GMT The only thing I know about Sharpstown, which I just heard: Joseph Addai is an alum. So there's that. ]]> <![CDATA[4:03 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:03:58 GMT Leo Peralta almost scored about 10 seconds into the game. That would've been something. ]]> <![CDATA[4:05 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:05:35 GMT Well, that was quick. And it was Peralta again. He stripped the last defender and calmly beat the keeper with a shot on the ground less than two minutes into the game. 1-0 Midway. ]]> <![CDATA[4:10 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:10:17 GMT Peralta is a live wire. He's playing out of his head right now. Sharpstown is having a really tough time finding him. ]]> <![CDATA[4:13 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:13:42 GMT Peralta is into the box on a long run but is nudged out of bounds. It's all Midway right now. ]]> <![CDATA[4:17 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:17:10 GMT Seems like Sharpstown is fairly proficient with its close-in passing, but Midway is getting a lot of runs on goal. ]]> <![CDATA[4:17 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:17:43 GMT We're 15 minutes in and Sharpstown hasn't gotten a shot on goal yet. Or gotten all that close, really. ]]> <![CDATA[4:24 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:24:25 GMT Peralta hit the deck got a minute and now it looks like he's coming out. Some worried glances coming from the Midway sideline, I'd imagine. ]]> <![CDATA[4:24 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:24:33 GMT *for a minute ]]> <![CDATA[4:24 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:24:59 GMT Looks like he's okay, just gassed. He's hanging out by himself on the bench. ]]> <![CDATA[4:29 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:29:13 GMT Sharpstown has had a couple dangerous passages, including back-to-back free kicks from relatively close range. Waiting on the second here. ]]> <![CDATA[4:29 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:29:35 GMT The second is blasted well high. Wasted chance to get level there from the Apollos. ]]> <![CDATA[4:32 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:32:37 GMT 12 minutes left in the half and Midway still leads 1-0. ]]> <![CDATA[4:35 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:35:26 GMT This is a tense, physical game. Bodies flying everywhere, and a lot of take-down challenges. It's been pretty chippy. ]]> <![CDATA[4:36 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:36:40 GMT Peralta had a one-on-one with a defender in the box, but the defender won. 8 minutes til half. ]]> <![CDATA[4:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:38:35 GMT Another deep free kick given up by Midway. This time the wall is successful, but Sharpstown got a rebound and forced the keeper to make a diving save. Good job there from Ryan Wendl. ]]> <![CDATA[4:40 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:40:13 GMT Sharpstown really looking dangerous here in the last five minutes. Midway is being stretched defensively. ]]> <![CDATA[4:40 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:40:42 GMT The Panthers will welcome the halftime bell. They look a little sluggish. ]]> <![CDATA[4:46 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:46:28 GMT Midway had a deep throw-in at the buzzer but it was pushed away to take us into halftime 1-0. ]]> <![CDATA[4:47 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:47:31 GMT Bizarre doings after halftime, as some pushing and shoving brings the police out to usher both teams to their halftime locker rooms. A lot of jawing going on from both teams all half, and I saw Tim O'Leary saying something to one ref as the Sharpstown coach yelled the ear off another. Really weird sight. ]]> <![CDATA[4:48 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:48:55 GMT I can see Midway AD Randy Weisinger down talking to the police now. I wonder what that's about? ]]> <![CDATA[4:49 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:49:34 GMT Heck, they may be rent-a-cops for all I know. ]]> <![CDATA[4:52 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:52:35 GMT <![CDATA[4:56 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:56:32 GMT Interesting. O'Leary and Weisinger are chatting now as the players are back on the field. Wonder what the deal is? ]]> <![CDATA[4:58 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:58:38 GMT <![CDATA[4:59 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:59:05 GMT Looks like we've got a coach's meeting at midfield with the refs and Weisinger and some others at midfield before we kick off. I've never seen anything like this before. ]]> <![CDATA[5:01 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:01:06 GMT Coaches are meeting with players now as they pull them all off the field. I'm guessing they're delivering the messages the refs just delivered to the coaches. No more horseplay. This is so weird. ]]> <![CDATA[5:04 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:04:20 GMT And Sharpstown has a guy come off on an injury in the first minute of the second half. I'm sure that didn't sit well. ]]> <![CDATA[5:04 Comment From WacoNative]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:04:26 GMT <![CDATA[5:05 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:05:01 GMT Whoa, Peralta drew a PK. That was pretty dubious. Looked like he was just jumping up for the ball and fell on his own. ]]> <![CDATA[5:05 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:05:33 GMT Kyle Baccus finishes off the PK, but the ref never blew the whistle. He'll have to take it again. ]]> <![CDATA[5:06 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:06:38 GMT Baccus went to the same corner and hit it again. 2-0 Midway with 38 minutes left. Midway scores quickly again in the second half. ]]> <![CDATA[5:07 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:07:31 GMT Sharpstown just had its second kid yellow carded for mouthing off after the penalty. This game could get dangerous if the refs don't get a handle on it. ]]> <![CDATA[5:09 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:09:25 GMT This has been a crazy game thus far. Really entertaining to watch for the most part. ]]> <![CDATA[5:10 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:10:41 GMT Third yellow for Sharpstown for delaying the game by booting it after it was out of bounds. ]]> <![CDATA[5:15 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:15:25 GMT Looks like the ref just booked the Sharpstown coach. He flashed it to the bench, anyway. ]]> <![CDATA[5:16 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:16:52 GMT Looks like they sent off a Sharpstown assistant coach. This just gets weirder. And now Kyle Baccus just got yellowed. That's five yellow cards. The Sharpstown bench is going off. ]]> <![CDATA[5:17 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:17:56 GMT The ref just sent off Sharptown's Isaac Weah with a straight red card. What? ]]> <![CDATA[5:19 Comment From Ken]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:19:02 GMT <![CDATA[5:19 Comment From TrojanFan2003]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:19:03 GMT <![CDATA[5:19 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:19:05 GMT <![CDATA[5:19 Comment From Ken]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:19:08 GMT <![CDATA[5:20 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:20:44 GMT Yeah this is just strange. Sharpstown was definitely shown a red, but there are still 11 on the field. I'm told that was a soft red, which means he was kicked out but they can sub in for him. This game is nutso. ]]> <![CDATA[5:20 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:20:48 GMT <![CDATA[5:22 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:22:08 GMT It's not been good. I'm having trouble keeping track of all the infractions, to be honest. ]]> <![CDATA[5:24 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:24:08 GMT Game has settled down (finally). With 27 minutes left, Midway still holds that 2-0 lead after all the skirmishes. We'll see how long this calm lasts. ]]> <![CDATA[5:26 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:26:41 GMT Sharpstown has a point blank shot rejected by Ryan Wendl. He could've walked it in. Not a good decision. ]]> <![CDATA[5:29 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:29:11 GMT It's astonishing that there are still 25 minutes left in this half. I knew I shouldn't have said anything about us being on time after the first two games. Jinx master. ]]> <![CDATA[5:30 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:30:56 GMT Sixth yellow of the game issued to Midway's Tyler Westbrook for time delaying. Woof. ]]> <![CDATA[5:33 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:33:02 GMT Midway is issued another yellow for taunting from Evan Herbert. Make it seven yellow cards. ]]> <![CDATA[5:33 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:33:45 GMT About 19 minutes left and we've already seen eight bookings. One of those was a red card. ]]> <![CDATA[5:35 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:35:45 GMT Sharpstown just missed a goal off a header right in front of the goal. The Apollos should definitely have a goal off of this spell. Looks like Midway is more set back by all this chippiness than Sharpstown. ]]> <![CDATA[5:37 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:37:07 GMT Nine yellow cards. Sharpstown gets another one. ]]> <![CDATA[5:38 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:38:28 GMT To be fair, both teams have done their fair share of instigating. But Sharpstown has been more egregious perpetrators. They've been all over the refs all day. ]]> <![CDATA[5:40 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:40:38 GMT Another clock stoppage for a downed Midway player. Looks like Ben Morrison. ]]> <![CDATA[5:41 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:41:47 GMT Looks like he's alright. We're back with about 13 minutes left to play. ]]> <![CDATA[5:42 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:42:00 GMT I can safely say this is the strangest soccer game I've ever seen. ]]> <![CDATA[5:46 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:46:11 GMT Aaron Wible almost snapped down a corner kick but it sailed just high. Nine minutes left. ]]> <![CDATA[5:47 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:47:16 GMT There's another red card for Sharpstown. We've hit 10 bookings. That's two red cards, for the record. ]]> <![CDATA[5:47 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:47:37 GMT Now they're playing a man down. ]]> <![CDATA[5:48 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:48:48 GMT Leo Peralta kicks past the charging keeper and centers for Rowan Meyer, who has a wide open look for the goal from about 2 yards out. 3-0 Midway with eight minutes left. ]]> <![CDATA[5:48 Comment From TrojanFan2003]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:48:55 GMT <![CDATA[5:51 Comment From Jacee]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:51:56 GMT <![CDATA[5:52 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:52:58 GMT To recap: 10 bookings. Eight yellow cards (five of those on Sharpstown), two reds (both on Sharpstown) and a Sharpstown assistant coach thrown out. ]]> <![CDATA[5:55 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:55:12 GMT <![CDATA[5:55 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:55:32 GMT <![CDATA[5:56 Comment From that guy]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:56:34 GMT <![CDATA[5:57 Will Parchman]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:57:42 GMT And that's your ballgame with Midway winning a foul-filled 3-0 contest to advance to the regional final. I'm headed down to sort this out with Tim O'Leary. I'll be back for University-Friendswood. ]]> <![CDATA[5:58 Comment From Jacee]]> Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:58:00 GMT <![CDATA[6:05 Comment From that guy]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:05:00 GMT <![CDATA[6:11 Comment From kristine]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:11:08 GMT <![CDATA[6:11 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:11:26 GMT Not yet. About 12 minutes until the University game starts. ]]> <![CDATA[6:12 Comment From kristine]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:12:21 GMT <![CDATA[6:25 Comment From Midwayhorn]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:25:20 GMT <![CDATA[6:25 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:25:41 GMT From Midway coach Tim O'Leary after the game: "The referees watched the ball too much. You get two quality teams like this that are very smart, a lot stuff went on behind the ball, including Midway. It was a lot of chippy stuff, and the officials didn't call it early so the guys just kept on doing it. They just didn't see a lot of stuff behind the ball, and there was a lot of stuff." ]]> <![CDATA[6:26 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:26:45 GMT Sharpstown coach Silvio Leiva on the penalty awarded to Midway that gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the second half: “It was completely bad. It was completely unfair.

“It was the beginning of the second half. We were not expecting that kind of situation. We were trying to tie the game and it was practically out of this world – I don’t know what the referee’s seeing, honestly.” ]]> <![CDATA[6:31 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:31:23 GMT Putting that one behind us, we've got University-Friendswood on the docket. This day got kind of crazy all the sudden? ]]> <![CDATA[6:34 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:34:34 GMT Looks like the same refereeing crew from the last game. Strap in. ]]> <![CDATA[6:36 Comment From that guy]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:36:48 GMT <![CDATA[6:37 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:37:19 GMT They moved the main ref to the far line though. Different head judge. I'm guessing he's a little bit less... reactionary. Let's hope. ]]> <![CDATA[6:37 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:37:47 GMT We're off and running here in game number four today. Lots, lots, lots of soccer today. ]]> <![CDATA[6:45 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:45:35 GMT OK, so I think I'm pretty much caught up. Sharpstown is alleging that their keeper was indeed punched in the face, and supposedly the police were pressing charges on the next swing they saw. The Sharpstown coach had some colorful words for us. Read tomorrow's Trib to check those out. ]]> <![CDATA[6:46 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:46:18 GMT Meanwhile, University and Friendswood are scoreless through the first nine minutes without a shot on goal registered for either side. ]]> <![CDATA[6:53 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:53:26 GMT Friendswood strikes first. Brian Mulcahey's leaning header from inside the six-yard box gets past Adrian Barragan, and its 1-0 Mustangs in the 15th minute. ]]> <![CDATA[6:56 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:56:09 GMT There have been a ton of passers-by in this press box throughout the day commenting on how Waco must be some hotbed of soccer talent to push four schools into the regional tournament. I could neither confirm nor deny those reports. Just been a good year, I suppose. ]]> <![CDATA[6:56 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 0:56:39 GMT *Four teams, I should say. Midway is one school, FYI. ]]> <![CDATA[7:07 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:07:40 GMT 11 minutes left in the half and we're still 1-0 Friendswood. Not a lot of chances from either side since the goal. ]]> <![CDATA[7:08 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:08:56 GMT University hasn't looked completely out of sorts, Friendswood is just killing off attacks like they were gnats. Wouldn't be surprised to see a Trojan goal sooner or later. ]]> <![CDATA[7:10 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:10:23 GMT This head ref has been a lot more deliberate about calling fouls. No monkey business allowed here. It's robbed the game of some of its flow, but if the alternative is what we had in the last game, I'm all for it. ]]> <![CDATA[7:12 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:12:03 GMT Friendswood is on the board again out of virtually nowhere. Tyler White's 25-yard strike rippled the net, getting past a flailing Adrian Barragan. 2-0 Friendswood. University will find it tough to overcome this. ]]> <![CDATA[7:12 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:12:15 GMT That goal came seven minutes before halftime. ]]> <![CDATA[7:14 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:14:17 GMT Trojans are right back in it. Edward Ibarra tapped in a rebound off a corner kick to shave the deficit to 2-1 five minutes before half. ]]> <![CDATA[7:21 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:21:30 GMT And we're into the half with Friendswood holding a 2-1 lead. That could've been much worse for the Trojans, who like 2-1 a lot better than 2-0. ]]> <![CDATA[7:36 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:36:39 GMT We're into the second half here with nothing exciting yet to report. University is a goal from making this an impressive comeback. ]]> <![CDATA[7:40 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:40:07 GMT Friendswood had a wide open goal after Adrian Barragan got caught out, but Juan Salas headed a sure goal off the back line to preserve the one-goal hole. Huge play. ]]> <![CDATA[7:44 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:44:38 GMT One thing I generally don't like about a lot of the high school game: it forces teams to play on this synthetic grass with the black rubber beads, which is the case at most if not all regional sites. It's almost impossible to play attractive soccer on this stuff. The ball bounces too much and plays way too fast, making control a fleeting fancy. If Jurgen Klinsmann wants to know why American kids aren't coming out of youth systems as smooth dribblers, not enough play consistently on grass. ]]> <![CDATA[7:45 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:45:06 GMT /soapbox ]]> <![CDATA[7:50 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:50:48 GMT University is pressing haaaard for the equalizer. They're dominating possession right now. ]]> <![CDATA[7:51 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 1:51:00 GMT They have 22 minutes to find it. ]]> <![CDATA[8:06 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:06:39 GMT That's game. Friendswood's Sean Byron knocked in a close-range shot off a counter to put the Mustangs up 3-1 with nine minutes left. Going to be nearly impossible for University to put in three goals in less than nine minutes. ]]> <![CDATA[8:10 Comment From Ken]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:10:07 GMT <![CDATA[8:10 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:10:48 GMT Thanks, Ken. What, you think watching 320 minutes of nearly uninterrupted soccer in one day is abnormal? ]]> <![CDATA[8:12 Comment From that guy]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:12:51 GMT <![CDATA[8:12 Comment From Ken]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:12:53 GMT <![CDATA[8:13 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:13:21 GMT I'd take Herculean. I'd also take soccer over whatever that guy said. ]]> <![CDATA[8:16 Will Parchman]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:16:36 GMT Well, that's going to wrap things up for me today. After a great year that was anything but rebuilding, University falls to Friendswood 3-1. I'll be back tomorrow at 11 a.m. with commentary of both Midway-Friendswood battles to see if either team can breach the final hurdle en route to the state tournament. See you guys then. ]]> <![CDATA[8:33 ]]> Sat, 14 Apr 2012 2:33:52 GMT 
 
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