Sloppy weather has become a regular obstacle at Magee Lumpkin Stadium for Long Beach High School in 2018 so far. Even the Eddie Holmes Field House cannot simmer the streak of the undefeated Lady Bearcats (13-0-1), as they dominated two games this week at home. The Boys (9-4-1) shut out Picayune High School Friday while barely dropping an overtime to cross town rival West Harrison High School.
Friday: Lady Bearcats 8 Picayune 0
Tuesday (Senior Night): Lady Bearcats 2 West Harrison 0
With Tuesday night’s victory over cross-town rival West Harrison Lady Hurricanes, Long Beach clinched a playoff spot in the MHSAA 5A Playoffs. The Lady Bearcats shut-out opponents, giving up two goals in 14 games.
“We’re working on staying sharp and not getting complacent with winning,” said Long Beach High School Girls Soccer Coach Neil Scott. “Our expectations are that all teams will play harder against us and that we want to stay healthy.”
Jumping on a 5-0 lead in the first half against the Lady Maroon Tide, Long Beach Fresh-man forward Nathalie Salvador knocked home a hat trick to lead the Lady Bearcats.
Five other players scored, including Tayler Smith, Sydney Spataro, Maddie Beets, Sophia Fimiano, and Susie Stevison.
On Tuesday night, Beets and Stevison both scored while Salvador assisted both goals.
Long Beach Goalie Alexis Wilson posted two shutout victories, blocking five shots on goals.
Friday: Bearcats 5 Pica-yune 0
Tuesday (Senior Night): West Harrison 3 Bearcats 2 (OT)
The boys have lost 2 out of the last 3, but both defeats being in overtime and still maintaining a 3-1 district record. Dominating Friday night’s contest against district rival while rallying to force overtime against a cross-town rival sets the course for the Bearcats run to the MHSAA 5A Playoffs.
Five separate players scored Friday night to secure a shut-out victory over the Maroon Tide with Long Beach’s Chase Dedeaux, Stanley Trzaska, Cameron Stalling, Kai VanCourt, and Michael Barrera each putting their kicks into the net.
Tuesday night’s rally goals came from Long Beach Senior Midfielder Dylan Picchi and Connor Clarke kicking two to force overtime.
