Undefeated Ridge Point nabs 9th shutout in a row
DEER PARK — Fueled by its smothering defense, resilient Ridge Point will take an unbeaten team to the girls state soccer tournament for a second straight season.
The Lady Panthers recorded their ninth consecutive shutout, downing Stratford, 3-0, Saturday in the Region 3-6A championship Saturday at Abshier Stadium.
Ridge Point’s (23-0-5) continuous attacking in the first half finally paid off in the 18th minute when junior midfielder Kylie Harris blasted in a 33-yard shot from the center of the field.
It would be the only offense the Lady Panthers would need.
“I saw the ball get loose and I had the runup and the power, and I just took it and it went in,” Harris said. “I was hoping that it would just wreck the other team and they would get down mentally. I don’t think they got down, but it did make them a little more hectic.”
Harris’ kick caught the underside of the crossbar and found its way into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Stratford’s (20-5-3) best chance in the opening half came on a sliding attempt from the right flank, but Allison Goodwin saw her shot hit the side mount of the goal.
Dayo Tennyson put Stratford in deep trouble when she fired in a shot from 20 yards that curved into to the far corner of the goal for a 2-0 cushion in the 48th minute.
Just 10 minutes later, senior forward Hannah Warnken sealed the victory with a header in front of the goal for a 3-0 score.
Ridge Point has now outscored its opponents 31-0 in its last nine games and 56-2 in its last 11 matches.