The McKinney North girls soccer team, led by four goals from sophomore forward Belicia Mendiola, cruised to a 9-0 win over Anna on Friday to complete its sweep of the Lady Coyotes and stay on the heels of McKinney for first place in the district standings.

The Lady Bulldogs (12-4-1, 8-1-0 in District 17-4A) trail the Lionettes (9-1-0) by half a game after beating them Monday, 1-0, and will be tied with them at the end of the regular season if both win out. That would leave district goals allowed – the only tiebreaker left in play after McKinney and North split by identical margins – as the likely means by which the district crown will be decided.

“I'm not going to get ahead and start looking ahead when I don't need to be,” said Lance Lovell, North head coach. “I need to be looking at Little Elm. Then after Little Elm, I need to be looking at Prosper. I don't want to think too much about it. I know it's in the back of my mind and in the forefront of everybody's questions, but I really want to take it one game at a time.”

That tiebreaker means the Lady Bulldogs have to not only beat, but shutout their last three opponents to ensure at least a share of the district title, starting Tuesday with Little Elm.

The Lady Lobos lost to North in their first meeting, 4-1.

“Little Elm has a few players up front that are exciting and cause a coach to stress a little bit,” Lovell said, “but if we are sound defensively – as much as we have been – I think we'll be just fine, They scored on us in the first round, but it was off a free kick. It wasn't during the course of play. They haven't scored on us during the course of play, but we'll go play the game and see what happens.”

If the Lady Bulldogs’ play Friday against Anna was any indication, they have improved significantly since the start of district. After beating the Lady Coyotes, 4-0, during the first round, they more than doubled their margin of victory this time around.

“They gave us a lot more of a problem the first time,” Lovell said. “I think we've gotten better. I think it's also because we were at home on our own field (this time). I think it's also because the girls are excited about Spring Break, to be honest with you.”

The Lady Bulldogs scored at will Friday.

They picked up two goals in the opening five minutes and took a 5-0 advantage into the break. The grass was definitively greener on their side of the field, as it didn't see much foot traffic with Anna struggling to get past midfield.

Freshman midfielder Hannah Story scored twice while junior midfielder Jackie Bucy, sophomore keeper Clarissa Ledesma and sophomore defender Hadlie Tucker each netted a goal in the win. Ledesma's goal was significant given that she spent the first half in goal before switching to the field.

“That was a nice setup and finish too,” Lovell said. “That was fun for her, to be able to step out of goal and score.”

The Lady Bulldogs have won seven straight during a span that has seen them outscore their opponents 30-1. They close district against Little Elm, Prosper and Denison – teams they defeated by a combined 8-1 during the first round.

As lopsided as those margins are, the focus for North will be putting up blanks on their opponent's end.

“That's one of those stats that I'm really going to be paying attention to for the remaining three games: goals allowed,” Lovell said. “I'll really be paying attention to that to make sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing and to give us a chance to tie McKinney.

“But again, we'll be taking it one game at a time.”

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