HOUSTON - Ed Shone's first season leading St. Pius X girls soccer has started off exceptionally well.
Through the Panthers' first eight games, the ladies have posted a 7-1 mark overall, including victories against Frassati Catholic (7-0), Incarnate Word Academy (4-0) and Kelly Catholic (3-2), outscoring opponents 33-12.
"It's all on the girls really," Shone said. "I just try to put them in a position for them to do what they do. They've been a very committed and very easy group to work with to start with. They've come in and just tried to do what we've asked them ... Winning is obviously not the be all end all, I don't like losing games but at the same time it's about putting them in a position to do what we think they can do."
The hot start has taken the entire starting 11 and the eventual 17 or 18 that will get playing time but the high number of goals can be attributed to the talents of Texas A&M-commits Macy and Margo Matula.
So far, of the 25 goals St. Pius X has recorded in their stats, 14 have come from the Matula's - who had four of the seven goals in the season opener against Frassati Catholic - with older sister Macy leading the team with eight, while freshman Margo has six.
"Anytime you have anybody of that ability on your team it always helps," Shone said. "We're lucky. Not only are they good, talented athletes but also good kids ... Margo plays centerback, she has come in as a freshman and hasn't missed a beat and has been standout so far. It allows Macy to go do what she wants going forward."
Outside of the scoring, keeping the other team off the board is just as important. That's where Lora Tresco comes in.
The junior has been solid back in goal, posting four shutouts, and averaging 1.5 goals against per match through the opening eight of the season.
"Anytime you have a goalkeeper that can bail you out making saves but also is comfortable with the ball at her feet," Shone said. "It just gets us out of a lot of situations to be able to get it to Lora and relieve some pressure."
Sophomore Makenna Capitaine, who's main sport is lacrosse, has become big on the field for St. Pius X, Shone said when it comes to winning the ball back and being disruptive in the midfield.
Capitaine isn't the only player that soccer isn't their main sports, Shone said as some of them are big in lacrosse and even horse riding but they also prove to be big on the field as well to help win seven of their first eight matches.
"It's been a real collective group effort," Shone said. "It's down to them. I'm fortunate enough to stand there and give them a few pointers here and there. So far, so good."
