Seven Lakes downs Dobie 6-0, Advances to UIL State 6A Tournament

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

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By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved 

DEER PARK, TEXAS (April 8, 2023) A goal with 15 minutes remaining in the first half gave Katy Seven Lakes a 1-0 lead going into halftime, which led to a 6-0 downing of Pasadena Dobie at Abshier Stadium in Deer Park,

The No. 1 ranked Spartans (26-1-1) took control of the game early and kept the No. 3 ranked Longhorns on their toes; trying to fins a way around the stingy Seven Lakes defense. The first score of the game, which occurred at the 24:38 mark of the first half, found Daniel Jerenwa in the right place at the right time. The junior defender drilled the ball from the top right of the box, past Dobie goalkeeper Geo Arango to give the Spartans the early lead.

Seven Lakes came back in the second half and scored two additional goals to ensure the trip to the state semifinals. With 27 minutes remaining  Noa Stasic scored a fourth for the Spartans in the 61st minute  and two minutes later Diego Flamecno curled a shot past the keeper and into the corner of the net to increase the Spartans lead to five. Then with just a minute left in the game, Sebastian Ranz volleyed in a goal off a cross as the celebrations began early for the Spartans.

The game was definitely the best test of Seven Lakes' ability this season, Dobie came into the game with a 24-0-4 record; averaging four goals per game.

Houston Dynamo FC shuts out LA Galaxy 3-0

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 8, 2023) The Houston Dynamo FC relied on two goals from Amine Bassi to lead them to a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday evening. Two of the Dynamo's goals came in the second half as they raised the 2023 record to 3-0-3 (W-D-L) while the Galaxy dropped to 0-4-2. 

Houston first got on the scoreboard in the 35th minute when Hector Herrera was awarded a free kick after a galaxy infraction. The midfielder took the kick from the left corner of the penalty area. It was the Captain's second goal of the season. After 45 minutes of play, both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with Houston holding a slim 1-0 lead.

The tension on the pitch increased tremendously in the second half, with one Galaxy player being ejected and Houston scoring two additional times.

In the 64th minute, Los Angeles defender Martin Caceres was given his second yellow card of the match and was sent off by the officials. Houston was awarded a penalty kick as a result of the infraction, midfielder Amine Bassi stepping up to take the kick. On the official's whistle, the Frenchmen when left as goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann when right; scoring the Dynamo's second goal. Bassi achieved a brace seven minutes later when Bassi again drove the ball past Klinsmann into the net.

With the win, Houston received their 188th victory in season play and gave head coach Ben Olsen his third victory with the Dynamo. It was also Houston 14th victory against the Galaxy in the all-time series and improve their all-time record to 14-10-13 (W-D-L).

Houston's there goals came off 13 shots and nine corner kicks while LA had 15 shots and six corner kicks.

A bit of a brew-ha-ha broke out in added time of the second half when Los Angeles attacker Douglas Costa accosted Herrera on the near side of the pitch. After teammates and officials separated the two, both was issued a red card. 

Steven Alker Focused on Defending Insperity Invitational Title in The Woodlands

Photo courtesy of  2022 Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR
and PGA Media Website Archives

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (April 9, 2023) The newest star of the PGA TOUR Champions, Steven Alker (shown above), is first to add his name to the tee sheet for the 20th anniversary of the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare, April 24‐30, 2023. 

Alker notched four PGA TOUR Champions titles including the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare in 2022 to go along with four second‐place finishes and 18 top‐10s en route to capturing the season‐long Charles Schwab Cup title. 

“It’s been a fun ride and I’m just so happy to be out here on Tour. Everything has come around and I’m enjoying my game,” said Alker.   

Mother Nature couldn’t even slow Steven Alker down in The Woodlands last year. 

The Kiwi returned to The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course from a two‐hour Sunday rain delay by playing a six‐hole stretch in 6‐under par on the back nine to outduel Steve Stricker and win the Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare on Sunday for his second of three victories on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2022. 

“I actually watched some footage up in the clubhouse (during the rain delay) and just changed my ball position and felt a little more on top of the ball. Just a tiny little thing and I started hitting some nice shots and driving it better,” said Alker. “I thank goodness we did have a little break because I kind of struggled, missed a few fairways early on and made some nice putts, kept me going. Then I got my roll going.” 

Alker has been on a sizzling run since Monday qualifying for his first event – Boeing Classic – in August 2021 where he finished T7. With the top 10, the New Zealander got into the following event and then recorded six straight top‐10s before notching his maiden victory at the TimberTech Championship. 

“Steven has been a wonderful ambassador for our tournament and the PGA TOUR Champions. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Tournament’s 20th anniversary celebration than by welcoming him back to The Woodlands,” said Bryan Naugle, Executive Director, Insperity Invitational presented by UnitedHealthcare.   

“Once again Houston area golf fans will be treated to an incredible show at the end of April that will include golf’s legends, World Golf Hall of Famers, and new stars on the PGA TOUR Champions like Steven who have already started booking their tickets for our event.”  

Houston Dash sign Lindsi Jennings

Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics Communication Department

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 7, 2023) The Houston Dash have added defender Lindsi Jennings (shown above) to the roster as an Injury Replacement Player, the team announced today. Jennings, the 36^th overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and third for the Dash, has trained with the Club through preseason and the CBA-mandated signing window prior to her singing.

Jennings joins the Dash after finishing her collegiate career at Louisiana State University as the third player to be drafted in program history. As a fifth-year senior, the former Tigers co-captain played and started in all 20 matches and recorded a career high two goals of the year. The Conroe, Texas native earned All-SEC First Team honors during the 2022 season and was a key component of the backline that helped the Tigers reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. Jennings capped her career at LSU with 40 appearances, 32 starts, three goals, two assists, six shots on goal in 2,696 minutes of play.

Prior to transferring to LSU, the defender played three seasons at Northern Colorado where she played in 51 games, tallied one goal and two assists to go along with nine clean sheets for the Bears. Jennings was named Second Team All-Big Sky all three years and was named 2018 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.

Jennings joins former LSU alum and current Canadian Women’s National Team and Dash defender Allysha Chapman.

The Houston Dash will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00pm CT when the team takes on the Mexican Women’s National Team in an international friendly at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.

Houston returns to league play on Friday, April 14 at 9:30pm CT as they travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the reigning 2022 NWSL Champion Portland Thorns.