The Pilot Point Bearcats girls' and boys' soccer teams kicked off their season with scrimmages against the Dallas Life Oak Cliff Lady Lions and the Burkburnett Bulldogs on Dec. 12.
The three soccer clubs met at G.A. Moore Field at Massey Stadium, with the Lady Cats defeating the Lady Lions 1-0 and the Bearcats falling to the Bulldogs 3-1.
“Our match went really well,” said Jessica Ledbetter, Pilot Point head girls soccer coach. “We got a lead early in the second half and kept it. We physically outplayed the other team, and we had the num- bers advantage as well, so we were able to beat them in endurance. … Overall, I'm very proud of the whole team and the efforts that they put in and just the endless progress that they're continuing to make every year.”
Ayleen Vicenio scored the match’s only goal, with an assist from Raven Glacy, while the Lady Cats’ defense, led by goalie Stephanie Calderon, kept the Lady Lions’ offense at bay.
Ledbetter, who has been with the Lady Cats soccer program since its inception, highlighted the growth the team is continuing to display in year three of the program.
“The first year of the program, I had a lot of players who had never touched the ball before, so we had a lot of learning to do,” she said. “We’ve learned the different parts of the game and what our strengths and weaknesses are. One benefit of me being here for the last three years is that a lot of the girls who are on the varsity team now have played for me, and they understand my coaching, and that consistency has been a big part of the growth in our program.”
She added that she hopes the young Lady Cats team continues to improve over the course of the season.
The Lady Cats followed their win over Life Oak Cliff by beating Ponder 4-0 on Tuesday evening.
In the following match, the Bearcats faced off against the Burkburnett Bulldogs, with Burkburnett taking the 3-1 win.
“I was incredibly proud of the effort and heart our young men showed in our first outing of the year against Burkburnett,” said Holden Grant, Pilot Point head boys soccer coach. “While the final score wasn't what we aimed for, the dedication and fight they demonstrated, right up until the final whistle, was truly inspiring. … Our immediate focus is simply accumulating more minutes on the pitch together; the cohesion will follow as they learn each other's style and tendencies.”
The Bearcats bounced back from their loss on Dec. 9 with a 2-1 win over Ponder on Tuesday evening, and Grant emphasized there is still a lot of room for improvement for the team.
“Our immediate focus is twofold: enhancing our physicality and improving our mental maturity within the game,” he said. “Given that our roster is comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, they will often be facing older, physically stronger juniors and seniors. We are working diligently to develop a mindset of ‘Be big, be tough,’ to ensure that we compete fiercely and refuse to be pushed around, regardless of age.”
Grant, who comes to Pilot Point after two years at Denton Braswell High School, also shared his high hopes for the Bearcats going into his first season as head coach.
“We’re young, with a large core of talented freshmen, but I constantly remind them that our youth is a major strength and that they have an extraordinary opportunity to grow and compete together for years to come,” he said. “So far the process for us has been one of collective growth, and I am genuinely thrilled for this season and the bright future we are building.”
Both teams are scheduled to open their regular seasons on the road at the Springtown Tournament Jan. 2 and 3.
Pilot Point senior goalie Orlin Sarmiento makes an acrobatic save to block a shot during the Bearcats’ 3-1 scrimmage against Burkburnett on Dec. 12. Pilot Point bounced back to beat Ponder 2-1 on Tuesday night. Janette Pool/ The Post-Signal
