The Permian-Odessa High girls soccer teams will face each other for the second time this season in the second edition of the crosstown rivalry at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
For both teams, Friday’s heated contest will present a chance to get back on track.
The Lady Panthers (7-6-2 overall, 2-2-1-0-1 in District 2-6A) are coming off a 3-2 penalty shootout loss after a 1-1 draw in regulation to Midland High last Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland.
Friday’s game will also be the start of the second half of district play.
“It’s really flown by,” Permian head coach Chad Peterson said. “We always tell the kids that it goes by very fast. We find ourselves in a different position than normal. We just have to find ourselves out of it.”
Permian remains in fourth place in the district standings.
Prior to last Friday’s loss to Midland High, the Lady Panthers fell against San Angelo Central in a 3-1 loss on Feb. 13 at home.
Odessa High (6-9-3, 0-5-0-0-0) is currently looking for its first win in district play and sits in last place in the standings.
Multiple calls to Lady Bronchos head coach Cecilia Kellar for an interview by the OA were not returned.
The Lady Panthers won the last meeting against Odessa High in a 1-0 contest back on Feb. 1 at Ratliff Stadium.
The Lady Panthers’ other win in district play came in a 2-0 victory over Midland Legacy on Feb. 6 as Permian began district play on a good note.
Peterson knows that every meeting against Odessa High will be a battle.
“There are so many good kids on each side,” Peterson said. “You never know how it’s going to unfold. In most cases, it’s the team that can settle down quicker and relaxes that can win. The last time, we settled down quicker but OHS came out in the second half and pushed us really hard. It was a tough game. It’s always a tight match.”
Both teams are coming off a bye on Tuesday this week.
When asked if having an extra day off was going to help or hurt his team, Peterson said it usually differs each season.
“It depends on the year,” Peterson said. “Sometimes it helps and sometimes it hurts. This year, it seems to be a good time. It’s good to relax and unwind. Now, everyone can refocus and go at it again for another two or three weeks.”
