Ladyjack Soccer Signee Heads to State Final
4/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
April 5, 2002
GEORGETOWN, Texas - When defender Breanne Kaldheim launched a point-blank shot on goal in the opening minute of Kingwood's Class 5A state semifinal match with Coppell on Thursday, it became clear the Mustangs had every intention of playing their game.
Kingwood again combined a sound defensive performance with an aggressive offensive attack to coast to its 25th consecutive victory, cruising past Coppell 4-0 in the second 5A girls semifinal at Eagle Field.
The Mustangs (29-1-1) got a pair of goals from Kaldheim to set up a dream final against two-time defending champion Plano West (27-1). The Wolves crushed San Antonio Reagan 5-0 in the other semifinal.
"As it's been all year, to score early is the key for us," Kingwood coach Donnie Bodron said. "We felt like we should put the pressure on them early and try and put them out of the match as early as possible, because they were a very physical team.
"We knew that if we did that, we'd be in a good position to win, because we just don't give up very much."
Coppell freshman keeper Krystal Rogers was in position to snag Kaldheim's first shot, and for the next few minutes, the teams felt each other out before the Mustangs went back on the offensive. After Melissa McConnell and Kristen Gascoyne took aim at Rogers, Bri Yeary slid between a pair of defenders and headed a ball back to Kaldheim, who headed the ball past Rogers for a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
"I think that set a tone," Kaldheim said of her initial attempt. "I think it gave us the confidence to know that we could go down there. It was kind of dangling in front of our face that we could go down there whenever we had he chance."
Two minutes later, midfielder Lauren Cummings lifted a corner kick to Kaldheim, who again was in position to head the ball past Rogers.
Leading 2-0, Kingwood not only kept up the offensive attack but turned up the intensity on defense as well. Coppell (26-6-1) mustered only three shots on goal in the first half, with Mustangs keeper Karen Lansden getting assistance from Kaldheim, who headed out the Cowgirls' best scoring chance in the 32nd minute.
It was more of the same for Kingwood in the second half. The Mustangs nearly scored off an early scrum in front of the net before Cummings made a beautiful play to increase the lead in the 50th minute.
With a pair of Coppell defenders -- Jessica Thomas and Brittany Albrecht -- on either side, Cummings pushed forward with the ball, then lofted a kick over a charging Rogers for a tally and a 3-0 advantage.
Coppell tried to muck it up a bit by getting even more physical with the Mustangs as the game progressed, and Andrea Marak picked up a yellow card for the Cowgirls with 21:31 left. But by then, Kingwood had the match in hand.
"I didn't think that we knew that this team was going to get physical," Kaldheim said. "But once you see that in the first couple of minutes, then you are ready for it."
Kingwood launched seven more shots on goal in the second half. Meanwhile, McConnell and Marigny Hluza were dominating in back as Coppell's opportunities diminished incrementally.
Ashlie Sears added a goal with 43 seconds remaining to cap the scoring and set up a Kingwood-Plano West final at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"They're just strong," said Coppell coach Chris Striker. "They play with unbelievable pace. I thought we were fast, but they were a lot faster than us at almost every position.
"And their defense -- they are so strong in the back. Physically, they just wore us out."
