Sunday, February 9, 1997

Cooper boys lose to Odessa

Odessa High scored once in each half to defeat Cooper 2-0 Saturday in boys soccer at Lee Complex and move into a second-place tie in District 7-5A.

The Bronchos, 7-6 overall, are now tied with Midland High at 4-2, one game behind district-leading San Angelo Central.

Odessa High struck first as Danny Lopez scored just 2:19 into the game to give the Bronchos a 1-0 lead they would take into halftime.

Cooper came out firing after intermission and nearly tied the score in the first minute of the second half. However, Jeff White's shot sailed wide right of the goal.

After holding off the Cougars' attack, Odessa High doubled its lead with 28:47 remaining. Joe Chavez was left alone in front of the Cooper goal and he headed a free kick past CHS goalie Brent Camp for Odessa's second goal of the game.

The Bronchos were able to blunt the remaining Cooper attacks as they picked up their fourth shutout in district play.

"We just can't seem to poke the ball in the 8x24," said Cooper coach Eric Bengs. "We have to play catch-up all the time and it's hard to do that.

The Cougars will return to action Tuesday against Abilene High at Hardin-Simmons University at 7 p.m.

Odessa Permian held off a late Abilene High rally to earn a 2-1 girls soccer victory Saturday at Lee Complex.

The Lady Panthers, 4-9 overall and 1-5 in District 7-5A, got goals from Sandra Coleman in the first half and Courtney Ratliff in the second half to take a 2-0 lead with 27 minutes remaining.

The Lady Eagles managed to cut the Permian lead in half when Tracy Horrell scored with 3:30 remaining. AHS had one final chance but Lenecia Bowens' shot with 31 seconds left was saved by the Permian goalie.

Abilene High's slow start left AHS coach Renee Barbee exasperated.

"We had everyone healthy and I thought we were ready," she said. "We had our chances, but we just couldn't finish. It's frustrating."

AHS will next face Cooper Tuesday at HSU at 5 p.m.

Cooper girls 2-0

ODESSA - Cricket Holt assisted on one goal and scored another to lead Cooper to a 2-0 victory in girls soccer Saturday.

Kelly Garcia scored on an assist from Holt in the third minute of the game and Holt scored on an assist from Stacy McNeil in the middle of the second half as Cooper improved to 11-2 overall and 5-1 in District 7-5A. OHS falls to 1-5 in district.

CHS, which is a game behind Midland, opens the second half of district play against Abilene High Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Hardin-Simmons.

"We look forward to the second half of district," CHS coach Claudia Blea said. "We need to get our routine down and go right through there. I'm anticipating a stronger second half for us."

Permian beats AHS boys

ODESSA - Jimmy White scored with less than one minute remaining as Odessa Permian dealt the Abilene High boys soccer team a 2-1 loss Saturday.

The loss was the fifth straight for the Eagles and dropped them into a last-place tie in District 7-5A with Cooper. The two teams will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Hardin-Simmons University.

White scored his winner with the game deep into injury time in the second half. The Panthers played the ball out of their side of the field and got a break when an AHS player misplayed the ball.

Permian's Freddie Melchor gained possession and sent a pass to the right wing to White who ripped a shot past AHS goalie Tony Marquez for the winner.

Permian had taken an early lead when Michael Couch scored 10 minutes into the game. Marquez had trouble clearing the ball, and Couch gained possession at the top of the penalty area before sending a shot into the net.

The Eagles rallied to tie the score with three minutes left in the first half. Adam Munoz scored the goal that ended a four-game scoreless streak for AHS.

However, White would leave the Eagles walking off the field with another crushing loss and their playoff hopes all but dead.