Tulsa World: Hornets share a goal

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Hornets share a goal
Boys and girls teams seek state titles this week.

Preston Langholz (clockwise from left), 16, Nathan Doll, 18, Sam Diacon, 17, Hayley Keown, 18, and Kayla Nsien, 17, hope to help Booker T. Washington to a pair of state soccer championships this week. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 5/12/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 5/12/2009 4:43 AM

Booker T. Washington's soccerteams — state powers in Class 5A — are sharing the same championship dream this week.

The boys are aiming for back-to-back state crowns. The tradition-rich program won Oklahoma's first boys soccer title in 1985, and six others have followed, including last year's 5A title.

The Booker T. Washington girls have never won a championship but came close last year before falling to Bishop Kelley in the 5A final.

On Tuesday, a home victory for each sends them back to the title game.

The girls will face Carl Albert in a 5:30 p.m. semifinal, followed by the boys' contest against Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen at 7:30.

Booker T. Washington's players and coaches expect S.E. Williams Stadium to be rocking Tuesday night.

"Last year was the first time in history when both teams made the finals," Hornets boys coach Mickey Miller said. "This year, it would be fun because the final four matches are in our stadium. Last year, (the semifinals) were in Oklahoma City, and we had to do it away from family and friends.

"It was a lot of fun, but we couldn't share it."

The boys are 14-2 this season, with their only losses coming to 4A powerhouse Cascia Hall.

In 2008, the team beat Bishop Kelley 3-0 in the 5A title game, sending 11 seniors out with rings.

"Last year, it was the consensus that we definitely wanted to win it for our seniors," said junior goalkeeper Preston Langholz. "These seniors have worked just as hard and want it just as bad. Now we want to win one for them."

Senior Nathan Doll is one of four Hornet seniors. He can score goals or be a defensive stopper at sweeper.

"He's a coach on the field and gets things done with his leadership," Miller said.

Junior Sam Diacon said his team does feel the bull's-eye on its back. The Hornets can't allow the pressure to weigh heavily on them, he said, because a solid Northwest Classen team awaits.

"We have to come out, keep our cool and play like we know how to play," Diacon said.

"I wouldn't say we are as nervous at this time," Miller said. "We've been here, and the players know what it takes to win. It's just one game at a time."

The girls squad is prepared for its semifinal match against Carl Albert. The driving force toward this year's run started with last year's defeat at the state finals.

"We had a hard loss (1-0 to 10-time champion Bishop Kelley)," senior Hayley Keown said. "It made us want to work that much harder this year and get back to the title game."

The Hornets girls (12-2) have been fueled by a first-year player, junior Kayla Nsien, who has been an offensive spark plug lately. She has 10 goals in her past four matches, including six in two playoff wins.

Her speed makes her potent. She's also a member of Washington's state-competing relay teams (400, 800 and 1,600).

Teams are targeting her, but she welcomes that.

"I take it as a challenge," she said. "It gives another player on our team a chance to score other than myself."

Washington girls coach Billy Wallace took over the girl's program late this year, but got a quick read on the ultimate goal.

"It's definitely a team out for revenge," the first-year coach said. "We're looking at (Tuesday's) opponent, but that championship trophy is our goal."

State soccer semifinals Tuesday

At S.E. Williams Stadium

Girls: BTW vs. Carl Albert, 5:30 p.m.

Boys: BTW vs. OKC Northwest, 7:30 p.m.

Eric Bailey 581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer

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