SOCCER: Highlanders solid in victory over College Park

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - On paper, The Woodlands Highlanders’ 4-1 victory over crosstown rival College Park might look like another stroll in the park.

But the Highlanders’ 11th straight District 13-5A soccer win was anything but that on Tuesday night at College Park High School.

“Our kids don’t quit,’’ said College Park head coach John Owens, who was the District 14-5A Coach of the Year in 2007. “Both sides played hard. And we have a lot of respect for them. But I was really proud of our effort tonight.’’

The Highlanders, just like they did in last Friday’s 9-1 win over Bryan, jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the crowd could get settled into its seat.

Bubacarr Jobe took a 30-yard pass from midfielder Marcelo Tamez and headed the ball into the right corner of the net to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead at the 34:12 mark of the first half. Jobe, who probably will play professional soccer next year, also put the finishing touches on the match when he rifled a right-footed shot off a ricochet to give the Highlanders a commanding three-goal lead with 2:27 left in the match.

“Buba is a special player,’’ Jones said. “He is a good, quality finisher. But he is not a selfish player. He is just as capable to making an unbelievable pass for a goal.’’

David Jameson gave the Highlanders a 2-0 lead when he blasted a 35-yard kick into the left corner of the net at the 27:48 mark, and Tamez made it 3-0 when he took Jobe’s picture-perfect pass and simply tapped the ball into the goal with 27:11 left in the first half.

But College Park wouldn’t quit.

The Cavaliers’ Mike Quick had a fabulous night in goal as he thwarted several Highlander attacks with all-out dives between the pipes.

College Park seniors Russell Barber, David Beckman, Nick Burns, David Montano and Kyle Gillan also were stellar on both sides of the field as the
Cavs controlled the midfield for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Manny Hayshi then cut the Highlanders’ lead to 3-1 when he scored off a rebounded shot with 14:49 left in the contest.

“We have that capability,’’ Owens said. “We are continuing to get better every year. I am real proud of the guys.’’

College Park, now 7-9-2 overall and 2-8-1 in district play, will finish the season by traveling to meet Bryan at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We plan to go up there and end the season with a win,’’ Owens said. “We are in fifth place now, just out of the playoffs. We want to finish the season on a high note.’’

The Woodlands (17-0-1 overall and 11-0 in district play), which beat College Park 3-1 the first time the two teams met, will end the year against Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Friday.

“I think The Woodlands can go to the state tournament,’’ Owens said. “They have a very solid soccer team.’’