By John Delk
Gazette Correspondent
TEXARKANA, Texas -- Texas High boys varsity soccer team added its second victory of the season with a strong performance here against the Carthage Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium at Grim Park. The result of the match left Texas Coach Zak McCarthy proud of his team's improvement in the past week.
"I am happy to go into the Christmas break with a 2-0 record," he said. "We knew we needed to improve for the game last week, and we saw those improvements in this match. That is a testament to our work in training. I am proud of the lads."
Bulldog Coach James Watson (a Texas High soccer alumnus) had different perspective for his side.
"We have to learn to finish," he said. "We have two more chances to polish up before our district season. Our team is going through some growing pains but it makes it harder when you play a talented team like Texas High" he said. He specifically noted the play of Tiger striker Austin Miller, "He is a 'stud' and very hard to mark."
The match actually started as a very tight affair. Possession and play alternating between the teams and ends of the pitch gave the play a similarity to a tennis match. The tension finally broke when Sam Tettamanti took a well placed pass from freshman Frank Delk and drilled a "screamer" in the top of the Bulldog goal. The Tiger took confidence and 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Soon after play resumed in the second half the Tigers received the only booking for either side on the night when Alijah Garza was handed a yellow card in the 42nd minute. Garza made up for the booking when he received a pass from Tettamanti in the 72nd minute and scored the insurance goal to put the Tigers up 2-0.
The Bulldogs raised the intensity following this goal attempting to get back into the match. The Tiger defense rose to the occasion and preserved the first clean sheet of the season for goalkeeper Mat Delk.
McCarthy praise the defense after the match saying "I am very pleased with the back line and goalkeeper in keeping a cleansheet. They improved drastically from the last game."
McCarthy praised the crowd that again was well over 200 people in spite of the early 4 p.m. start time.
"The fan support means a lot to us and has inspired the guys as they can feel the love and support from the school, their families and the community," he said. "I would love to encourage everyone to keep coming out and bring friends."
The Tigers resume play the first week of January.
Texas High forward Sam Tettamanti is surrounded by Carthage defenders during an attack in front of the Bulldogs' goal. Alijah Garza, No. 7, positions himself for a rebound at the far post. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 2-0 to improve to 2-0 on the season. (Photo courtesy of Richard Blake)