Tues., Feb. 28th, 2006 Lee-Cooper soccer
By Len Hayward
Sports Editor
The Lee boys soccer team had little time to recuperate after a five-goal whipping at the hands of San Angelo Central before it had to play another important district game. But the Rebels found enough energy to defeat Abilene Cooper 1-0 on the strength of a Spencer Weibusch goal Monday night at Grande Communications Stadium. "I was a little concerned about how we would react after that butt-kickin' we took on Saturday," Lee coach Chris Bryant said. "We came back and fixed our ways."
Through the game's first 15 minutes, though, both teams looked tentative and could not mount much of an offensive attack. Lee's first scoring chance came 13 minutes in, but other than that neither team put much pressure on either Cooper goalkeeper Tyler Humphrey or Lee keeper Kenny Worrell. The Rebels best shot to take the lead came with less than two minutes remaining when Christian Jacobo's shot sailed wide of the net. The second half started much the same way, as both squads worked to find that mistake or hole to capitalize on. Jacobo had another shot to score when he took a pass from Matt Carathers, but his point-blank shot went over the net in the 51st minute. But on the ensuing goal kick less than a minute later, Lee's Spencer Weibusch blasted about a 40-yard shot that went over Humphrey's head into the back of the net. It was Weibusch's second goal in three games. Lee, though, could not come up with another goal and again had trouble finishing scoring chances. "I think it could've been better," Bryant said. "We've got to finish and we've got to find people to step up who can finish." Even though Lee's offense struggled to finish, the Rebels' defense bounced back from a tough Saturday by not leaving much space for Cooper's offense to operate. Monday marked the sixth consecutive game the Cougars have failed to score a goal. "I got onto them after last game after (the Rebels gave) up five goals. ...We had been one of the best defenses in the district (before that)," Bryant said. "They played well (Monday)."