Third title set, Bulldogs turn to playoffs
Magnolia has plans for extended campaign after extending district streak
The Bulldogs are back on top.
Magnolia’s girls soccer team clinched their third consecutive title last week, going 11-1-2 in District 195A.
“That was really cool,” coach April Cleveland said.
“When we sat down at the beginning of the season, one of their goals was to be district champs, so we’ve been working toward that, and every game they knew it was important to get the points we needed to keep that title.”
They picked up a key point last week, tying Tomball Memorial, which was hot on their heels, 1-1 in the penultimate district contest.
“That game was big,” Cleveland said. “We knew they were going to be competitive. The first time we beat them2-0, butwe knew it was a different day. So we came out, they scored first, and we put our heads down, and then in the second half we picked it up and found a way to tie it backup.”
They capped district with their most prolific outing of the year.
Freshman Abby Gibson scored three goals, leading the Bulldogs to a 6-0 win over rival Magnolia West.
“That was exciting,” Cleveland said.
“We changed the game time to 5 p.m., so the girls were kind of off their routine, but we started strong and did the simple things.”
Erin Mooneyham, another freshman, supplied a goal against Magnolia West.
Cleveland said both freshmen gave them a boost this season, helping them stay on track to threepeat.
“They were a great ad- dition to the team,” Cleveland said.
“They work so hard. They give 100 percent for 80 minutes every game. So them coming onto the field, and having that energy, was contagious, and they really led the team. Everybody fed off of them.”
Seniors Natalia Garza and Paola Hernandez had the other goals against West.
They supplied leadership for a young team, which includes sophomores Brooke Bowie, a forward, and midfielder Brooke Mallory, who Cleveland said she’s rarely taken out of games this season.
“The foundation of it all is goalkeeper Sarah Hubble,” Cleveland said.
“She’s a captain, and she’s been leading the team since her freshman year, so she’s been leading us for four years. And then also Rebecca Bowie is a standout defender who marks the other team’s leading scorer. Those two are captains, and they’re last two players from my state team.
“They set goals and lead the team for me.”
Magnolia went into spring break anticipating a first-round playoff date with Waltrip, but nothing was set.
They’ll find out the details on who, when and where March 21.
“We’re focused and we’re excited,” Cleveland said. “We’ve set that stan--