Friday, January 13, 2012

Day 2 in the Books at the NEPS; Boyd, Ursuline, and Marcus Roll

Sheldon Shealer/ESPNHS
Lindsey Jones gains possession of the ball for McKinney Boyd in a match against Kingwood.

Editor’s Note: The National Elite Prep Showcase daily notebook will be updated throughout the day as matches are played.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Coach Michele Estes inherited the McKinney Boyd (McKinney, Texas) girls’ soccer program, knowing there was plenty of top-end talent remaining from last year’s Texas Class 5A state championship-winning team. This weekend, Estes is finding even more firepower than expected.Although Nebraska commit Amanda Elertson has yet to score, POWERADE FAB 50 No. 1 Boyd has received goals from four players en route to 3-0 and 2-0 victories in their first two matches at the National Elite Prep Showcase. During Friday’s early contest at Texas Christian University, Libby Murphy and Hailey Hunt found the net as the Broncos knocked off No. 19 Kingwood (Humble, Texas). Texas Tech commit Caity Heap controls play in the midfield, creating chances for the forwards while Rice commit Kara Dugall, a goalkeeper, has yet to allow a goal.

EARLY SURPRISE: Colleyville Heritage’s lofting national ranking is appearing too high following the team’s first two matches. The surprise of last year had climbed to No. 3 this year before play started, however a first-round draw with Georgetown (Texas) and a Friday loss to Central (San Angelo, Texas) likely will end Heritage’s run in the POWERADE FAB 50.

GETTING DEFENSIVE: A total of eight goals were scored in the first six matches played at Texas Christian University on Friday. Every contest featured a shutout. The other 12 contests played through mid-day at the other four venues, there were only three shutouts.

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Lindsey Harris, Westlake (Austin, Texas): Harris, a goalkeeper who is committed to North Carolina, delivered a few clutch saves en route to Westlake's 1-0 victory over Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth, Texas).

Mackenzie Kligmann, St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.): Kligman, a sweeper, anchored an Aquinas defense that gave Allen (Texas) few chances in a 1-0 result for the nationally ranked Florida squad.

IMPACT FRESHMAN
Kendall Ritchie, Westlake (Austin, Texas): Ritchie was smooth on the ball and created a few chances. However, late in the game, she unleashed a left-footed rocket that ended up as the lone goal as Westlake defeated Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth, Texas).

OVERHEARD
Kingwood’s trip to the National Elite Prep Showcase was anything but usual. After having a series of bus problems on the first three hours of a four-hour drive from Houston to Fort Worth, the coach made a decision to stop in Corsicana, Texas, to rent a pair of 15-passenger vehicles and complete the journey. … Coppell junior Paige Jacobs is playing for the No. 2-ranked high school team in the nation, yet lives in the shadow of her 18-year-old older brother, Colin Jacobs, who was drafted by the NHL Buffalo Sabres this past summer.

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