The Permian girls soccer team wasted no time finding a rhythm in its attack against crosstown rival Odessa High Tuesday at Ratliff Stadium.
A fast start led to a strong performance where the Lady Panthers came away with a 5-0 District 2-6A victory against the Lady Bronchos.
“Any time you’ve got some pace in your players and you get a chance to take advantage of them, then you have to go,” Permian coach Chad Peterson said. “This is the first match in a long time that we’ve been able to use the pace up top and it worked out well for us.”
Permian had the clearest opportunities within the match’s first 10 minutes, starting with a shot from Mya Gonzalez who cut in from the right wing and found an opening toward the Odessa High goal.
The Lady Panthers set the tempo early and capitalized when a long pass from Zujeily Romero found Gonzalez in the midfield.
After dribbling a few yards forward, she sent a through ball that Nyxalee Munoz pushed past the Odessa High goalkeeper to give Permian a 1-0 lead with 30 minutes remaing in the first half.
Less than four minutes later, Gonzalez showed what she could do as Permian’s main attacker by pushing from the left wing and sending a distance shot to the bottom right corner of the Lady Bronchos’ goal.
Odessa High had issues maintaining ball possession through the first half as Permian had its players press to set up quick counterattacks.
“Winning the midfield is vital to winning a soccer game,” Odessa High coach Cecilia Kellar said. “We just have to be a little more alert and aware in the midfield, and more of a presence in order to really solidify our position.”
Another goal from Gonzalez saw Permian extend its advantage with around 15 minutes left until the break.
It didn’t take long for the Lady Panthers to find the back of the net again in the second half, as Munoz scored her second goal less than four minutes into the period.
Anahi Lopez scored the game’s final goal by sending in a strong shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Peterson said his midfielders and defenders helped maintain the pace and momentum needed to seal the win.
“That midfield three and the back three really deserve the credit for holding them out early on and giving us the time to come forward, keep the ball and find the angles and the spacing,” Peterson said.
Odessa High continues district play against Midland Legacy at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium, while Permian will face Midland High on the road at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland.
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
