South Belt Area "All Stars" Swimming Team headed to TAAF Games of Texas

By Chris Price
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (July 27, 2021) The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team (SBAS) placed second in the team standings at the Texas AmateurAthletic Federation (TAAF) Region 14 Swimming Championships at Katy High SchoolNatatorium. SBAS qualified 21 individuals and three relays for the TAAF Gamesof Texas State Championships in Corpus Christi on July 29-August 1, 2021.

In the girls 11-12 division, Kirstin Kelly, who is a seventh grader at Deer Park Junior High, won gold medals in both the 50-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke, and the silver medal in the 100-yard individual medley, qualifying in all three events. This will be Kelly third trip to the summer state championships. In the girls 13-14 division, Phoebe Kaatz (Bondy Intermediate School) placed third in the 50-yard backstroke to punch her ticket to the championships. She also placed sixth in the 50-yard freestyle. Pasadena Memorial High School’s Vedika Deva will join Kaatz in Corpus Christi in the girls 13-14 division, placing third in the 50-yard breaststroke. She also placed fifth in the 50-yard freestyle.

The girls 15-17 age group will see a large contingent of swimmers who compete in high school for various Pasadena Independent SchoolDistrict. Pasadena High School juniors Emely Lopez (3^rd place: 50-yard butterfly and 3^rd place: 100-yard individual medley) and Briselda Diaz (1^st place: 50-yard breaststroke and 7^th place: 100-yard freestyle) will be competing at state. Pasadena Memorial High School will also have swimmers represent South Belt at state. Sophomore Samara Martinez (1^st place: 50-yard freestyle, 3^rd place: 50-yard breaststroke, 4^th place: 100-yard freestyle and 8^th place: 50-yard butterfly) will be joined by juniors Madison Arcizo (2^nd place: 100-yard freestyle and 4^th place: 200-yard freestyle), Nailea Esquival (3^rd place: 100-yard freestyle, 4^th place: 100-yard individual medley, and 6^th place: 50-yard butterfly), Jenae Flores (5^th place: 50-yard butterfly and 5^th place: 100-yard butterfly), along with senior Zulema Pica: (5^th place: 200-yard freestyle and 7^th  place: 50-yard butterfly. Pamela Guerrero, a junior at Sam Rayburn High School, placed second in the 50-yard backstroke, third in the 200-yard freestyle and fourth in the 50-yard butterfly.

South Belt will also have three women in the 18-and over master’s division. Former Pasadena HS and University of Houston swimmer Kristine Kelly won the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke in the women’s 30-34 age group. Kelly will be joined by Renee Martinez, who won the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard backstroke in the 50-54 age group, and Darla Kelly, who was victorious in the women’s 60-64 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard breaststroke.

 Three relays also qualified for the Games of Texas, with SBAS sweeping the top two places in the girls 15-17 200-yard freestyle relay. The foursome of Arcizo, Diaz, Lopez, and Flores won the gold medal, followed by teammates Pica, Martinez, Guerrero, and Esquivel, who took the silver. Arcizo, Diaz, Lopez, and Flores also combined to win the 200-yard medley relay.

 In the male division, Pasadena Memorial incoming freshman Levi Del Angel will compete in three events in Corpus Christi, by winning the boys 13-14 age group 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and 100-yard individual medley. He will be joined by First Baptist Christian Academy’s Nicholas Brown, who won the gold medal in the 50-yard breaststroke and silver in the 50-yard freestyle.

Senior Harrison Brown (First Baptist Christian Academy) will compete in the 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle, and 50-yard breaststroke, after placing first, first and second, respectively at regionals.

 McMurry University sophomore Christopher Brown, who will be in his second season competing for the WarHawks, will be swimming four events at state after placing first in the 18-24 200-yard freestyle, 50-yard breaststroke, and 50-yard butterfly and second in the 100-yard individual medley at the region meet. Brown swam in high school for First Baptist Christian Academy.

 Also competing at the region championships was Elias Pica, who placed seventh in the 25-yard freestyle and eighth in the 25-yard backstroke in the boys 9-10 age group.

 This year will make the seventeenth year since 2005 for SBAS swimmers to compete at the Games of Texas since 2005. The Games of Texas were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team is a select swimming team consisting of elite swimmers from the Deer Park, Pasadena, Pearland, Friendswood, Clear Lake and greater Houston area.

2021 Games of Texas opening cermonies cancelled

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (July 24, 2021) Due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) and the City of Corpus Christi has cancelled the opening ceremonies of the Games of Texas.

The opening ceremonies, which were slated for Friday, July 30, would have been attended by competitors, coaches, game officials, and spectators in numbers exceeding 10,000. Officials felt the decision would help reduce the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

In addition, TAAF will direct everyone involved in the Games (athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators) to wear face coverings during all events. In addition, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing will be encouraged. For more information, go to www.taaf.com.

 

USWNT fall to Sweden, 3-0 at Olympic Games

By Jennifer Edwards

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

TOKYO, JAPAN (July 21, 2021) The United States Women’s National Team suffered their worst loss in recent history, losing to Sweden 3-0 in the qualifying round of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The United States showed their defensive weaknesses that have plagued them for some time. Sweden was able to press the US for 90 minutes, never giving the U.S. a chance to set up or regroup. Striker Stina Blackstenius was a standout for her team and an aggravation for the U.S. defense scoring two of the three goals. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher tried to keep the goals from connecting, but the defensive pieces just weren’t there. 

The United States never got the chance to create their signature set-ups and set pieces to score. Megan Rapinoe said, “I don’t remember the last time we gave up a goal. So to give up three is not great.” Sweden has always been one of the United States’ toughest opponents. The two teams tied 1-1 in their last friendly match early in 2021. 

The United States will take on the New Zealand Ferns on the 24th of July at 6:30 A.M. central time with a replay shortly after that. The match will air on NBCSN.

CONCACAF Doubleheader at BBVA Stadium Scheduled to Resume at 7:50 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 13, 2021) Today’s Concacaf Gold Cup doubleheader at BBVA Stadium will begin at 7:50 p.m. CDT with the opening game of Group D between Panama and Qatar. 

The doubleheader was postponed due to lightning in the area around the stadium. The teams were allowed to enter the pitch at 7:20 p.m. CT and will have 30 minutes to warm up. The second match of the doubleheader between Honduras and Grenada will begin at 10:10 p.m. CT.

 For the safety of everyone involved, all players, referees and staff were not permitted on the field while there was lightning near the stadium, and the seating bowl was cleared. During the delay, fans were able to either stay in the stadium on the concourse or leave the stadium to seek shelter elsewhere. If fans left the stadium due to the weather delay, they may scan their ticket on exit in order to return when play resumes.

Houston Dynamo FC and FC Cincinnati battle to 1-1 draw

Photo  by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly 
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 3, 2021) The Houston Dynamo FC is quickly becoming the "King of the Draw" during the 2021 Major League Soccer season. On Saturday evening, they added another point to their season total with a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati at BBVA Stadium. The draw was the fourth consecutive draw by the Dynamo.

Both teams picked up one point in their season total, which kept them relatively in the same place in the MLS standings. The uniqueness of this game was in the sequence of the scoring and the flow of play in the game.

Houston found gold early in the game with their fastest goal of the season. In the third minute, Sam Junqua skipped a pass across the field to Tyler Pasher, who quickly drilled the ball into back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, Cincinnati midfielder/forward Alvaro Barreal scored from 12 yards out to even the score at one-all.  

For the remainder of the match, both teams battled back-and-forth with neither finding an opening to allow them to take the lead. Rough and aggressive play was the norm for the reminder of the match with numerous "incidents" drawing negative reactions from the crowd when yellow cards were not issued.

Houston head coach Tab Ramos commented after the match about the four consecutive draws by his team.

"I mean, it depends how you look at them. Obviously, we're trying to win the games and I think you could see that day. The idea is to win, I didn't think we played well away at Real Salt Lake and got that draw, but we got a good result and played pretty well against Portland at home. We should've gotten a win there and today we should've got a win too. So, there's only so much I can ask of the team. At the end of the day, I think they made a great effort today and today should've been three points."

Pasher also weighed in on the draws.

"Yeah, I think we are all disappointed because at home, we set a standard that we win every game at home and it has been frustrating but, the positive note from it is that we are so close to being there. These past few games we could be going up three or four goals in the first half. It's just a series of unfortunate events that we are continuing to work on and work through and get better each day, at least we are walking away with a point and hopefully we start putting more goals away and winning at home and on the road."

Next up for the Dynamo is a Wednesday, July 7 meeting with the Seattle Sounders with an 8 p.m. kickoff. 

 

 

U.S. Women's National Team 2021 spotlight: Defenders

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 6, 2021) The United States Women’s National Team will host the Summer Series as a gear-up to the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan later this summer. National Team coach, Vlatko Andonovski, has named his 23-player roster and today we will spotlight the defenders. 

The United States defense is arguably the best in the world, this is largely in part to the defender line staying in-tact through the last four World Cup cycles. Andonovski gave the nod to the following players: Alana Cook of Paris Saint-Germain, Abby Dahlkemper of Manchester City, Tierna Davidson of the Chicago Red Stars, Crystal Dunn of the Portland Thorns, Kelley O’Hara of the Washington Spirit, Margaret Purce of NJ/NY Gotham FC, Becky Sauerbrunn of the Portland Thorns and Emily Sonnett of the Washington Spirit. Alana Cook is the newcomer to this veteran line. It will be interesting to see where Cook can fit into the National Team defense. 

Andonovski is quoted as saying, “During these games we’ll also focus on preparing for the Olympic group matches, so we to balance all of that…” It will be exciting to see what happens in the Summer Series The Series games are as follows: US vs Portugal at BBVA Stadium on June 10 and Jamaica on June 13, US vs. Nigeria on June 16 in Austin’s brand-new Q2 Stadium.

U.S. Women's National Team 2021 spotlight: Goalkeepers

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 30, 2021) The United States Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has named his 23-player roster for the training camp Summer Series that kicks off in Houston against Portugal on June 10 at BBVA Stadium.

Andonovski’s choices in goalkeepers are Jane Campbell (shown right) of the Houston Dash, Adrianna Franch of the Portland Thorns, and Alyssa Naeher of the Chicago Red Stars. Absent is Ashlyn Harris of the Orlando Pride. 

Goalkeeping has always been one of the defensive keys to the National Team strategy and they are getting that with these three keepers. Naeher has been the go-to keeper for the last several years and she has proven herself to be a valuable asset to the team. Franch has had a few call-ups and a few starts but is largely untested in national team play as has Campbell. Both Keepers have put up impressive stats with their respective home teams. 

Keep an eye out on national team keepers. They put on a spectacular clinic for young soccer players to watch. 

The first National Team Summer Series game is June 10, 2021 at 7 p.m. CDT and will air on FS1 at the same time.

Houston Dynamo FC gain three points in 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Photo credit: Trask Smith / Houston Dynamo FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 22, 2021) Houston Dynamo FC scored two goals in the first half and raised their season record to 3-2-2 in their 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on a cloudy Saturday evening at BBVA Stadium.

The match was the first meeting between the two teams since 2019, with Houston coming into the match with a 5-1-1 home record against the Caps.

It did not take long for Houston to get on the scoreboard. Midfielder Fafa Picault kicked the ball from the left side which was deflected by Vancouver goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. Midfielder Memo Rodriguez recovered the defection and drilled the ball into the net from 12 yards (in the eighth minute) out for his second goal of the season.

The Dynamo gave Vancouver a chance in the midfield, costing midfielder Derrick Jones a yellow card for a professional foul in preventing the goal from the Whitecaps attack. 

Forward Maxi Urruti got his third goal of the season in the 42nd minute when Rodriguez fed him the ball for the score to give the Men in Orange a 2-0 lead at the halfway mark.

Vancouver cut Houston's lead to one in the 80th minute when forward Deiber Caicedo nailed a close shot as a result of a turnover from midfielder Boniek Garcia.  The Caps tried to even the score late in the game, but left Houston with a 2-4-1 record.

The match saw the return of Dynamo legend Ricardo Clark to BBVA Stadium o for the first time since he retired in February, 2020. The two-time MLS Cup champion returned as an assistant coach for the Vancouver after beginning his coaching career with the Houston Dynamo FC Academy in 2019 and spending time with the U-20 US Men’s National Team. 

Clark played for the Dynamo for nearly a decade and finished his career with the second most games in club history with 304 matches played and 25,139 minutes played in all competitions for the Dynamo.

Houston had 14 shots during the match, with three shots on target. Vancouver countered with 11 shots and two on target. 

First round of Insperity Invitational postponed until Saturday

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

THE WODOLANDS, TEXAS (April 30, 2021) With heavy rainfall continuing throughout the day, the opening round of the 2021 Insperity Invitational was been postponed until Saturday (May 1). The first players will tee off at 7:30 a.m. CDT, from the first and tenth holes. Three inches of rainfall occurred as of 3 p.m. CT on Friday, with more expected in the late afternoon. The second round will take place immediately after the completion of the first round, with each groups starting hole switched from the first round.

Insperity Invitational kicks off Friday

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (April 30, 2021) Eighty-one PGA Tour Champions are slated to compete in the Insperity Invitational, 54-stroke play competition with a no-cut format begin on Friday. The tournament, which was scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. at The Woodland Country Club Tournament Course, was in a holding pattern with rain in the forecast and showers expected to continue into the afternoon.

The week kicked off on Monday and Tuesday with practice rounds, followed by the ever-popular Pro-Am on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday will see the actual tournament begin,, which is the fourth event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule for 2021. 

Each champion from the last eight Insperity Invitationals will tee it up in the tournament, including four-time winner Bernhard Langer and defending champion (2019) Scott McCarron. The Insperity Invitational is the first of three consecutive weeks of events on PGA TOUR Champions, continuing at next week’s Regions Tradition before the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, May 14-16.

The the last edition of the tournament (2019), Scott McCarron made three birdies on the back nine of the final round en route to a two-stroke victory over Scott Parel at the 2019 Insperity Invitational. After Parel birdied Nos. 11 and 12 to even the score at 14-under, McCarron responded with back-to-back birdies of his own to rebuild a two-shot lead through 14.

 

McCarron birdied the 185-yard 16th, hitting an 8-iron to a foot, and regained a two-shot lead with two holes to play. A par-par finish secured McCarron’s second win of the 2019 season, marking his fourth consecutive year with multiple victories on PGA TOUR Champions. He went on to win the Charles Schwab Cup and was named the 2019 PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year.

Sam Houston State drops Monmouth Hawks 21-15 in first round of FCS playoffs

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 20211 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS (April 24, 2021) Number 2 seeded Sam Houston State University punched their ticket to the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs with a 21-15 win over the Monmouth Hawks at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium on Saturday. The Bearkats (7-0) scored their 21 points, which were unanswered by the Hawks, in the first three quarters. Monmouth mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring all 15 of their points within seven-plus minutes.

Sam Houston kicked off the scoring on their second drive of the game, marching 47 yards in eight plays. Quarterback Eric Schmid (number 3, shown right)who played his prep ball at The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, connected with Cody Chrest (Cypress Fairbanks HS, Houston, TX) on a 13-yard pass, followed by the successful kicking conversion by Seth Morgan (Klein Oak HS, Houston, TX). The 5-10, 160-pound freshman was successful on all three of the Bearkat extra points.

The remainder of Sam Houston State's points came in the second and third quarters, on two carries by Ramon Jefferson (Truman HS, Bronx, NY). The first TD was the result of a 56-yard run, to cap a three-play, 65-yard drive that lasted 1:10. His second score was a thre-yard run at the 9:49 mark of the third quarter.

The Hawks finally got points on the board after moving the ball 90 yards in eight-plus minutes; ending with a one-yard run by Juwon Farri (Northwest HS, Germantown, MD). Gene Scott (Wall HS, Wall, NJ) pushed the score to 21-8 with a successful three-yard run for the two-point conversion. Their second touchdown occurred with 5:58 remaining in the game when Terrence Greene (St. Joe's Prep, Philadelphia, PA) caught a 30-yard pass from Tony Muskett (West Springfield HS, Springfield, VA). Kaeon Torres (Donovan Catholic HS, Toms River, NJ) split the uprights for the extra point; placing the score to 21-15.

The Bearkats will next face North Dakota State on Saturday, May 1 at a yet undetermined time. The Bisons downed Eastern Washington 42-20. The Bearkat-Bison game will be played at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville.

Houston Dynamo FC fall to FC Dallas in final of La Copita tournament

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021 All Right Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 10, 2021) Playing with will undoubtedly be their starting lineup for their first Major League Soccer match in a week, Houston Dynamo FC dropped a 3-0 decision to FC Dallas, which made their in-state rival the champions of the La Copita tournament.

Both FC Dallas and the Dynamo, along with Austin FC, San Antonio FC participate in the inaugural edition of La Copita. The newly formed preseason tournament kicked off ahead of the Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer League (USL) 2021 seasons

The Dynamo contained the Dallas offensive punch until late in the first half. With 13 minutes to go until halftime, forward Franco Jara got the ball past Houston goalkeeper Marko Maric, from outside the penalty area with a shot to the far post, for the score. 

Four minutes later, in the 41st minute, midfielder Andres Ricuarte sneaks the ball past three Houston players into the 6-yard box. Defender Ryan Hollingshead just happened to be "in the right place at the right time," gentling nudging in to the goal for the final score of the first half.

Dallas added an insurance in the 84th minute when Dynamo defender Sam Junqua tried to high ball with his right foot, but he slipped. Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira was there to claim possession. He dribbled into the box and slotted a shot past Maric to the far post.

Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos stated after the game,

“It was good to play a high-quality team like Dallas. I think we certainly could have used a couple more of these games before going into preseason. We needed a match like this where every ball was hard and every play mattered. I’m happy with the team and the first 35-45 minutes. I thought we did quite well. Their goal came sort of against the run of play when we were getting ready to score. Unfortunately, then the other goal came from a freekick where we weren’t ready. I think it was just a preseason mistake. Other than that, the second half was not great for us. I didn’t think we played well in the second half. We had a good overall first half, but the second half wasn’t good enough. Overall, the preseason has been very good, and I think we will be ready for Friday.”

Despite the score, Marić was a stalwart throughout the match, making a number of excellent saves to keep his team in it. In the 11th minute, a Dallas counter resulted in a shot inside the area, but Marić came up with a big save in a one-on-one situation. Unofficially, he finished the afternoon with six saves.

The Dynamo will kick off the 2021 MLS season at home on Friday, April 16 against the San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. CDT.

GK Lindsey Harris shines in Houston Dash draw with Chicago Red Stars

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 10, 2021) The Houston Dash began the defense of their 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup title by battling to a scoreless draw against the Chicago Red Stars on Friday evening. The crowd in attendance at BBVA Stadium saw a spirited defensive battle.in which neither team could get the ball into the goal. With the draw, both teams pick up one point; placing them tied for second in the Cup's West Division standings.

Portland Thorns FC sit atop the West with their 2-1 win over Kansas City. OL Reign hold onto fourth place, having yet to play a match. 

The Dash were playing without the services of seven of their players; six who were away on International Duty. Allysha Chapman, Nichelle Prince, and Sophie Schmidt are currently with the Canadian National Team while Rachel Daly is with England. Jane Campbell and Kristie Mewis are on roster duty for the United States.

Dash goalkeeper Lindsey Harris kept a clean sheet in her Dash debut, a feat that no other goalkeeper before her accomplished. The Austin native made a spectacular diving save in the 18th minute to deny Chicago center back Kayla Sharples. After a Chicago corner was initially cleared, the Red Stars cycled the ball back around to the right flank for a cross. Sharples ran onto it and volleyed it on target from six yards, but Harris leapt across her goal to snatch the shot out of the air. 

When questioned about making the first save of the game early in the first half, Harris stated: 

"Yeah, I usually go into games super nervous until I get my first touches on the ball. It came in (the 18th minute) and (Kayla Sharples) was wide open, but I don't know what happened. I saw it and I just jumped at it. I remember afterwards kind of crawling into a ball and just saying 'don't drop it.' First touch on the ball, so just don't drop it. I kind of curled up into it just to make sure it was safe." 

Head coach James Clarkson talked about the draw in his post game meeting with the press.  

“It was great to be back out there. Ten weeks was a really long time for a preseason – you could see the excitement of the players all the way through. The effort they put in tonight was fantastic. We knew it would be a little bit rusty because we hadn’t played since October other than each other in preseason. We know it's going to take a couple of weeks, but what they could ultimate control was ultimately fantastic.” 

 

Houston Dash to face Chicago Red Stars to begin defense of NWSL Challenge Cup title

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 9, 2021) The Houston Dash will kickoff their 2021 season with the defense of their 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup against the Chicago Red Stars. The 2021 edition of the tournament will begin  the first league competition this year for the Dash and an opportunity to defend the Club’s first title. Houston defeated Chicago Red Stars 2-0 at Zions Bank Stadium in Utah on July 26, 2020.

A win will mark the first Dash victory of 2021 after they became the 2020 Challenge Cup Championship and second place in the Fall Series.  A victory will also earn the second consecutive victory against Chicago in addition to their fourth victory against the Red Stars.

Former Dash captain and forward Kealia Watt returns to BBVA stadium for the first time since departing the club in 2019 after spending four years in Houston. Goalkeeper Lindsey Harris is set to make her NWSL debut as Jane Campbell is off in Europe with the US Women’s National Team. 

Defender Allysha Chapman, midfielders Kristie Mewis and Sophie Schmidt along with forwards Nichelle Prince and Rachel Daly will also be absent due to international duty. Defender Katie Naughton and midfielder Shea Groom will lead the team as co-captains against Chicago.

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT. 

 

Houston Dynamo FC defeat Austin FC 3-2 in La Copita opener

Photo by
Paul-Michael Ochoa
and provided by Houston Dynamo FC
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved
Used with permission

AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 3, 2021)  Houston Dynamo FC defeated Austin FC 3-2 at St. David’s Performance Center earlier today in the opening game of the La Copita preseason tournament for both teams. Houston scored three times in the second half to improve to 5-0-0 overall this preseason and 1-0-0 in La Copita. 

 

Houston scored the game-winning goal in the 71st minute after forward Maxi Urruti launched a long diagonal pass down the left sideline. Speedy Dynamo forward Fafa Picault (shown above right) raced past defender Julio Cascante to force a one-on-one opportunity with the Austin goalkeeper and score his second goal of the match. 

 

Austin took a 1-0 lead into halftime after a well-placed free kick from midfielder Tomás Pochettino in the 16th minute, but Houston equalized in the 54th minute after Picault capitalized on a loose ball inside the box that unbalanced the Austin backline. The forward took a touch toward the near post to create space for a shot that crawled toward the far post. 

 

Houston took the lead two minutes later after midfielder Matías Vera chipped in a ball to Urruti. The ball floated over an Austin defender to the Argentine forward, who spun on his left foot and laced a right-footed side volley into the back of the net with his first touch. 

 

Austin scored their second and final goal of the game in the 66th minute after a rebound off of a save from Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Marić. The Croatian saved Alex Ring’s initial effort from distance, but the ball fell into the path of an oncoming Rodney Redes, who headed the ball into the back of the net.  

 

Maric finished with five saves in his first preseason game against an MLS opponent, including a big save in the final 10 minutes to deny Austin forward Jon Gallagher in a one-on-one situation at close range and preserve the win. 

 

Midfielder Memo Rodriguez scored the only goal in a 30-minute scrimmage that followed the first contest of the day. The scrimmage also featured Homegrown player Daniel Rios and two Dynamo Academy players, Jathan Juarez and Kieran Sargent. 

 

The Dynamo host OKC Energy in La Copita action at 12:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 6 at Aveva Stadium. The preseason game is free and open to the public, additional information is available at HoustonDynamoFC.com.  

McNeese Cowboys stuns No. 12 Nicholls Colonels 43-13

Photo by 
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (April 3, 2021) Coming into the game with a 2-3 record and being listed as a two-touchdown underdog, the McNeese Cowboys stunned the No. 13 Nicholls Colonels by the score of 43-31 on Louis Bonnette Field at Cowboys Stadium In Lake Charles. The win raises the Cowboys season record to 3-3 and their Southland Conference record to 2-3. The loss dropped Nicholls to 4-2  (3-2 in conference) and virtually eliminated them from the FCS playoffs.

After trading fumbles early in the first quarter, the Colonels got on the scoreboard when quarterback Lindsay Scott (Zachary HS, Zachary, Louisiana) connected with wide receiver Dontzae Costly (St. James HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) on a 10-yard pass for the first score of the game. Kicker Gavin Lasseigne (Central Lafourche HS, Raceland, Louisiana) split the uprights for the extra point to give Nicholls a 7-0 lead at the 7:38 mark of the quarter. The Cowboys responded three minutes later with a 42-yard field goal by kicker Jacob Abel (Goddard Eisenhower HS, Goddard; Kansas) to cut the Nicholls lead to four. The Colonels pushed the score to 14-2 with eight seconds remaining in the quarter when Scott found wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon (Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) open; flicking a two-yard pass over the line for their second TD of the game. Again, Lasseigne converted the extra point to end the quarter with a 14-3 score.

Then, something “came over” the Cowboys in the second quarter; scoring 21 unanswered points to take the score to 24-14 in favor of McNeese. Quarterback Cody Orgeron (Mandeville HMS, Mandeville, Louisiana, shown above right, number 8) threw to wide receiver Mason Pierce (Dawson HS, Pearland, Texas shown left, No. 89) for two touchdowns; the first a four-yarder followed by a 95-yard pass. The first TD capped a four-play, 85-yard drive that lasted 32 seconds. The second touchdown lasted eight seconds and consisted of a single play. In between the touchdowns, Wide receiver Walker Wood (Lafayette HS, Lexington, Kentucky) carried the ball the final four yards of an 86-yard, seven play drive that lasted 2:59. Nichols was finally able to stop the Cowboys’ scoring punch with a 26-yard Lasseigne field goal with 4:24 left in the first half, taking the score to 24-17 at the half.

At the 12:08 mark of the third quarter, the Cowboys increased their lead when Orgeron found wide receiver Joshua Matthews (Dunham HS, Baton Rouge, Louisiana) open and connected for a 26-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 30-17. Jacob Abel added the extra point, as he did on all previous McNeese touchdowns, to give the Cowboys a 14-point lead. Nicholls responded with 5:43 left in the third quarter with an eight-yard run by running back Julien Gums (De La Sale HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) to cut the McNeese lead to one possession (24-17).

After 2:12 of play into the fourth quarter, Orgeron again found Matthew; this time with a 13-yard pass to allow McNeese to regain a 13-point lead. Unfortunately, Abel’s conversion kick failed, his first miss of the day.  It did not take much time for Nicholls to regain some of the momentum they had in the first quarter. Lindsay again found Dixon on a first-and-ten play, with an 11-yard pass to complete their 75-yard drive in 1:31. Lasseigne again added the conversion to take the score to 37-31 with 11:17 left on the clock. McNeese put the nail in the Colonels’ coffin 56 seconds later with a 67-yard run by running back Deonta McMahon (Frostproof HS, Frostproof, Florida). After the score, Nicholls took possession of the ball but could not find the endzone.

For McNeese, Orgeron completed 20-of-27 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns. Parker carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards and three touchdowns while Matthews and Pierce ahd two touchdowns each in the air. Defensive back Enos Lewis (Miami Central HS, Miami, Florida) accounted for 11 total tackles, with nine of them being solo.

Scott completed 26-of-53 passes for 289 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for Nicholls. Dixon caught seven passes for 69 yards and two TDs, with Scott carrying the ball 28 times for 127 yards.

Next up for the Cowboys will be a 4 p.m. CDT matchup on Saturday, April 10, against Sam Houston State (4-0, 4-0 SLC) in Huntsville, Texas while Nicholls will host No. 22 Southeastern Louisiana at 3 p.m. CDT on the same date.

Houston Dynamo FC cancel today’s preseason game against Austin Bold FC

Will hold open practice for fans at 1 p.m.

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 31, 2021) The preseason game between Houston Dynamo FC and Austin Bold FC scheduled for this afternoon has been canceled after a positive COVID-19 case in the Austin Bold travel party, the clubs announced this morning.

The Dynamo will still welcome fans into BBVA Stadium, and will host an open training session with a 30-minute intrasquad scrimmage beginning at 1 p.m. Fans who have not yet downloaded free tickets for today’s event may still do so at HoustonDynamoFC.com/SingleGame.

Houston will return to BBVA Stadium on April 10 to host FC Dallas in a La Copita preseason game.

McNeese State downs Northwestern State 21-7 in spring football action

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA (March 20, 2021) McNeese State quarterback Cody Orgeron completed 17-of-22 passes and two touchdown as the Cowboys downed the Northwestern State Demons by the score of 21-7 at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches.

On their second possession, at the 4:42 mark of the first quarter, the Demons drove 91 yards in eight plays to score the first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Kaleb Fletcher (Poteet HS, Mesquite, Texas) completed a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Kendrick Price, Jr. (Lindale HS, Lindell, Texas) for the score. The Cowboys evened the score 2:35 later when tight end Jama Pettigrew (St. Augustine HS, New Orleans, Louisiana) caught a two-yard pass from Orgeron (Mandeville HS, Mandeville, Louisiana) to cap a 59-yard drove that lasted 2:29. Both teams converted the kicking extra points to tie the score at seven after 15 minutes of play. After a spirited and intense second quarter, neither team was able to find the end zone, with the score remaining tied at seven at halftime.

It did not take long for McNeese to find the end zone in the third quarter. On the third play in the second half; a first-and-ten play, Oregron finds wide receiver Trevor Begue (St. Thomas More HS, Lafayette, Louisiana) open on the right side of the field; connecting with a 75-yard pass for the Cowboys' second TD of the game. Jacob Abel (Goddard Eisenhower HS, Goddard, Kansas) added the extra point to give McNeese a 14-7 lead with 13:45 remaining in the third quarter. Not limiting their scoring to the air, the Cowboys added a rushing touchdown to the scoreboard six minutes later. Backup quarterback Walker Wood (Lafayette HS, Lafayette, Kentucky) kept the ball and plunged over the goal line from the one-yard line for the third touchdown for the Cowboys. Abel again added the kicking conversion to push the McNeese lead to 21-7 and the eventual win, 

For McNeese, Begue led the game with 165 receiving yards, on eight catches and one touchdown.  Freshman Josh Parker (Catholic HS, baton Rouge, Louisiana) rushed for 77 yards  on 16 carries, with Sam Andre accounting for seven tackles). The Demons were paced by Fletcher, completing 13-of-18 for 177 yards, while Javon Antonio (East St. John HS, LaPlace, Louisiana) caught six passes for 103 yards. The Cowboys raised their season record to 2-3, with a 1-3 mark in Southland Conference action. The Demons fall to 0-3 in both their season and conference games.

HBU Huskies advanced in SLC Tournament with 74-60 win over McNeese State

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (March 10, 2021) Paced  by the 20 points of Jilija Vujakovic, the No. 8 HBU Huskies downed the number nine ranked McNeese State Cowgirls by the score of 74-60 to advance to the second round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Conference  Women's Basketball Tournament.

Those in attendance at the Leonard E. Merrell Center saw three Huskies join Vujakovic, who hails from Bereldange, Luxembourg, connect for double digit scoring.   

N'Denasija Collins (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) tallied 18 points, with Timia Jefferson (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) adding 16, and Kennedy Wilson (Timberview HS, Mansfield, Texas) chipping in 10. Head coach Donna Finnie only played eight players in the game, with the four mentioned above accounting for 64 of the Husky's 74 points.

Divine Tanks  (Barbe HS, Lake Charles, LA) and Shaela Gardner (Chipola College, Memphis, TN) led the Cowgirls with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Next up for the Huskies, in the second round, will be the number five ranked Central Arkansas Sugar Bears. The Sugar Bears received a first-round bye in the tournament, with their last game being a 45-40 loss to Northwestern State on March 6. Central Arkansas and HBU did not play each other this season; having last played on January 1, 2020. In that matchup, the Sugar Bears came out on top by the score of 63-39.

SE Louisiana, HBU Huskies advance to 2nd round in SLC Tourney

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

KATY, TEXAS (March, 9, 2021) The No 8 Southeastern Louisiana Lions and No. 10 HBU Huskies advanced to the second round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy.

Game One
Southeastern Louisiana Lions: 71
McNeese State Cowboys: 68

The Lions edged the number 9 seeded McNeese State Cowboys by the score of 71-68.   Starting forward Gus Okafor led the Lions with 26 points followed by Startinbg guard Isiah Kirby with 14. Starting forward Nick Caldwell pulled down 13 rebounds.

For the Cowboys, starting forward Carlos Rosario scored 18 points with eight rebounds, while starting guard A.J. Lawson added 12 points.

Game Two

HBU Huskies: 80

Incarnate Word Cardinals: 68

The Huskies shot 50% from the field (27/54) from the field and 73% from the free throw line in the win. 

Starting guards Hunter Janacek and Pedro Castro scored 18 and 21 points to pace the Huskies, with Castro pulling down nine boards. Starting Center Zach Iyeyemi added 10 points.

For the Cardinals, starting guard Keaston Willis scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds.