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Both the boys’ and the girls’ varsity soccer teams for Columbus are gearing up for the first round of postseason competition after their strong runs through the regular season. Each team will be facing some stiff competition as the Lady Cards take on Brazosport in Bay City on Thursday, March 23 and the Cards take on Needville Saturday, March 25 on the Bluejay’s home field.
The Lady Cards face a Brazosport team that they have already matched up against a few times this season. The two teams faced off during the Rice tournament during the early weeks of January. The teams faced each other twice during the tournament, once during pool play and again to decide who moved on to the next round. Neither team got the advantage over the other during 160 minutes of regulation play. Their first match ended in a 1-1 tie as they each struggled to find chances against the other’s defense. This dynamic was even more pronounced in their second matchup as the teams played each other to a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation. Outside of pool play, the game came down to a penalty kick shootout. The Lady Cards took their chances and secured the shootout victory over Brazosport. Now at the end of the season, the Lady Exporters boast a record with double-digit wins at 11-6 with three ties. Brazosport will prove to be a tough opponent as their stingy defense has allowed just 18 goals throughout the season.
The Cards also have a difficult task ahead of them as they travel to what is by all accounts a home game for the Needville Bluejays. Needville comes into the postseason opener with the top record in its district and one of the most potent offenses in the area. The Bluejays have scored 78 goals this season while holding opponents to just 19 combined as they ran out to a 16-2 record with just three ties on the season. Columbus will have to put together some of their best defense of the season if they hope to keep up with Needville’s high-octane sets. While Columbus has had their own moments of offensive effectiveness, they will need clean play and some inspiration in front of goal to create some opportunities to score. Getting momentum on either side of the ball may be a more difficult task as they take on Needville on their home field in front of an opposing crowd.
