Saturday, March 22, 1997

Cooper coach taking all precautions

By TED DUNNAM

Assistant Sports Editor

LUBBOCK - Having never seen today's opponent play, Cooper girls soccer coach Claudia Blea is taking every precaution necessary for Amarillo Tascosa.

"When you don't know what to expect, it's always difficult," Blea said. "But we're not taking them lightly. Even if we had seen them play, we still wouldn't be underestimating them.

"They finished third in the district with Lubbock Coronado, but they're still winning so they must be playing pretty well."

The Lady Cougars (16-3) and Lady Rebels (12-6) will meet in a sectional playoff game today at Lubbock Monterey.

"From the scouting report we got, we heard they were a solid team. They've got speed, but not anything that we can't handle. Coronado beat them, so we know we're capable of beating them."

Stacy Metcalf scored two goals as the Lady Cougars defeated Lubbock Coronado 2-1 this past Tuesday in an area playoff game.

Blea said her team hasn't been concentrating on anything in particular in preparing for today's game.

"We're just fine-tuning some things. If things aren't working like you want to by now, they're probably not going to," the Cooper head coach said. "The thing I'm most pleased with now is our attitude and the excitement of being in the playoffs.

"To still be playing at this time of the year is exciting. Our seniors have been to the playoffs for four years and the juniors for three years. I think that experience will definitely help us."

Stopper Ashley Henderson is doubtful for today's game because of an injury, but Blea said she would be the only Lady Cougar to miss the contest because of an injury.

Cooper vs. Amarillo Tascosa

n What: Class 5A girls sectional soccer playoff game

n Where: Lubbock Monterey

n When: 2 p.m.

n Records: Cooper 16-3, Tascosa 12-6