Lady Huskies will host state soccer champions next Tuesday

Pawhuska High School head soccer coach Giovanie Soliano is hoping for plenty of community support next Tuesday when the Lady Huskies host the four-time defending Class 4A state champion Verdigris Lady Cardinals in a key district match at Ormand Beach Memorial Stadium.

Last year at Verdigris, the Lady Huskies fell behind the Lady Cardinals and could not catch up — dropping a 4-1 decision in what was PHS’s only defeat of the regular season.

Pawhuska’s only other loss in 13 matches came at Glenpool in the quarterfinals of the 4A State Tournament. After eliminating the Lady Huskies, the Lady Warriors were knocked out of the tourney by Verdigris — which has actually won the last six 4A championship matches.

The Lady Huskies met with defeat when they returned to Glenpool for this year’s season opener. PHS took a 2-1 mark into its first District 4A-5 match Monday at Oologah.

Pawhuska’s girls would actually be 3-2 if two March 12 matches at the Oologah Tournament were counted, in which they topped the Tulsa Washington junior varsity before losing, 1-0, to the Owasso jayvees.

Oologah (3-1) also lost to Owasso’s JV at the tourney — falling 4-3.

Verdigris was scheduled for its soccer season opener Monday against visiting Claremore. The Cardinals had another match set Tuesday at Tulsa Metro Christian.

Soliano is convinced the Lady Huskies are capable of beating the Lady Cards. He also believes a supportive home crowd could play a key role. Kickoff at the Beach is set for 5:30 p.m.

“I would like to have the stands as full as possible,” the PHS coach said. “This is a match everyone should want to see.”

After Verdigris, the Lady Huskies will play at home against non-district foe NOAH on Tuesday, April 7.