Soccer: Oak Ridge girls remain only 14-5A unbeaten

OAK RIDGE NORTH, Texas – A mist fell over the Oak Ridge High School soccer field for most of Friday morning and early afternoon. It was a concern for Lady War Eagles coach Jim Collins, who preferred not to have his quick and speedy team neutralized by the conditions of Friday’s District 14-5A match with College Park.

And although the footing was a little uneasy at times, the Lady War Eagles managed a 2-0 victory over a physical and talented Lady Cavaliers squad to remain unbeaten in league play and atop the standings.

“It was a good win,” Collins said. “It was a little sloppy on the field. It kind of took away our quickness and speed, so I was a little concerned about the field conditions. But the kids overcame it and we got a win.”

Oak Ridge (10-4-2, 8-0) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.

“We got a beautiful ball centered in from Claire Schuman to Alyssa Smith and then she put it in the back of the net,” Collins noted.

Schuman then scored at the 24:02 mark of the second half to put the match out of reach.

The victory did not come without a price, however. Smith left the match in the second half with a leg injury.

“They think it’s just a really deep bruise,” Collins said. “She’s able to walk. She got cleated really bad.”

A bye on Tuesday should provide welcomed relief for those hobbling Lady War Eagles.

“We’re going to rest up and hopefully get people healthy and concentrate on going to Conroe and taking care of them there,” Collins said. “They can be very tough at their place.”

College Park, now 2-4-1 in district play, and chasing Lufkin (2-3-2) for the fourth and final 14-5A playoff berth, hosts Conroe at 7 p.m. Tuesday.