Thursday, March 6, 2008 Fort Worth Star Telegram
http://www.star-telegram.com/758/story/515851.html
Posted on Thu, Mar. 06, 2008
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Arlington Martin’s corner kick soared into the Duncanville penalty area and a flash of red hair rose above the crowd and sharply headed home the goal.
It was once again Lady Warriors sophomore forward Mandy Burgardt knocking home another goal, one of two she scored in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory against Duncanville.
Burgardt sits among the Top-5 area Class 5A goal-scorers with 21. Sportingly, Martin coach Ruth Knight substituted Burgardt at halftime on Wednesday once the game appeared in hand.
Burgardt said her red locks are often the way she’s identified by the opposition on the field rather than by her number.
She plays with the Lady Warriors, the Polaris ’92 club in the classic league, and with North Texas State team.
What’s led to your goal-scoring success this year? “I’ve had a lot of help from everyone like Natasha (Anasi) in the midfield and the other forwards and a little bit of luck, but I’m just happy to be doing what I’m doing.”
When did you get started in soccer? “Three years old, three years old, coached by my mom (Ashley Burgardt). It was herd ball, chasing the ball all around the field, oh, my gosh it’s kind of embarrassing.”
Martin is undefeated in district, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Star-Telegram. What are the expectations? “I really think we’re going to go far. Last year was about Taylor Knaack (Notre Dame) and we wanted the spotlight on her. This year it’s more about the team, more unified. Everyone loves everyone and it’s a really good atmosphere out here. I really think we’re going to go far.”
What are your aspirations after high school? “I committed to SMU a couple weeks ago. I’m so excited. There was no other question about where I wanted to go.”
As a sophomore what sort of pressure is there to continue to develop the next two years before SMU? “I have motivation inside me that will keep me going. I really don’t feel any pressure; I feel less pressure actually not having to deal with the coaches all around me. I don’t feel any more pressure.”
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Fort Worth Star Telegram
ARL. MARTIN 4, DUNCANVILLE 0
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Arlington Martin girls go wide to score soccer win over Duncanville
ARLINGTON -- The width of a soccer field goes anywhere from 10 to 20 yards wider than a football field.
When a team such as the Arlington Martin girls utilizes that extra width good things can happen.
The Lady Warriors utilized the width and space en route to a commanding 4-0 victory against Duncanville on Wednesday.
The victory kept Martin (18-3, 11-0) undefeated in District 8-5A play, while the loss dropped Duncanville (11-5-4, 5-3-3) into a mix with Arlington Lamar and Cedar Hill battling for second place.
“I thought we combined well in the attack,” Martin coach Ruth Knight said. “We really did a good job of getting on the end of things and we finished well.”
The Lady Warriors took a 3-0 halftime lead by using the width of the field on the first two goals.
Forward Mandy Burgardt opened the scoring in the 10th minute after Martin played a cross from the right flank. The initial pass went untouched through the penalty area but left midfielder Kelsey Hamann kept the ball alive. Hamann played a low pass back to the middle that Burgardt poked home.
Martin struck again in the 21st minute when Lauren Wilson attacked down the left flank, dribbled centrally and drew the Duncanville goalkeeper toward her.
Wilson then played a calm pass to Tasha Anasi for the second goal.
The Lady Warriors added a third goal when Burgardt rose above the crowd and headed home a corner kick from Anasi.
When play wasn’t in the wide channels, Martin’s central midfield of Anna Lavis and Anasi dictated the pace and direction of the match.
“I think we worked our give-and-go well both inside and outside,” Lavis said. “We played good diagonal balls and did a good job of getting that third man running into open space and then finding them with the pass or through ball.”
Both Lavis and Burgardt were rested the second half and without the duo on the field Duncanville found a bit more of play.
Martin maintained the shutout in the second half and added a late goal from Amy Jah as Wilson picked up her second assist.
Sunday, January 20, 2008 Fort Worth Star Telegram
