The district season often makes or breaks a team. The McKinney North girls soccer squad though is having little trouble controlling its playoff fate as the Lady Bulldogs are coasting through District 13-4A.

"I'm extremely happy," said Lance Lovell, North head coach. "I couldn't be happier with our play this season. They've stepped up their performances."

North has only one loss in its first 16 games and is a strong 12-1-3 on the year. They also currently claim the top spot in their district with a perfect 4-0 mark.

"It's important to keep that focus," Lovell said. "This team is very focused and hungry. They have heart, a ton of heart. Their heart is as big as a lion's heart. They play to win every game. Their passion is to not settle for anything less than a victory when they take the field."

North started district with an 8-0 win against Denison Feb. 12. The Lady Bulldogs followed that up with a 4-0 win against Sherman and a 1-0 win against Prosper before Friday night's 8-0 win against Anna.

What's most impressive about North's recent streak is its run of consecutive defensive shutouts.

"We're sitting at the top of our district," Lovell said. "For the first time this season we've gone six games straight without being scored on. That's very encouraging because we're going to need high-level play like that going into the playoffs."

The Lady Bulldogs' offensive weapons are forwards Belicia Mendiola, Sandy Pachicano and Hadlie Tucker. Defensively, Lovell is pleased with the play he's seen from his defenders, such as Elizabeth Zwillenberg, Keirsyn McDaniel, Sabrina Martineau and Mary Watson.

"I'm pleased with how the forwards are playing now; we're scoring some goals," he said. "I'm also pleased with the defensive line. Our defenders are doing a tremendous job. They're all on the same page and that's vital."

Not to be forgotten amidst North's successes is its goalkeeper Clarissa Ledesma.

"Our goalkeeper has been very strong, too," Lovell said. "I'm extremely pleased with Clarissa and what she's doing back there."

While many areas of his team are playing well, Lovell is most proud of the play he's getting from captains Jackie Bucy and Mikhayla White.

"Our best right now though is our midfield," he said. "They're doing a wonderful job of not only feeding the forwards, but showing for the defenders. Our two center-mids, Jackie and Mikhayla, are the engine on the team. They're what is making us run right now."

In addition to their skills, Lovell likes Bucy and White's leadership qualities.

"They lead by example, but are also the vocal leaders on the field as well," he said. "The ball goes through them and they dictate how we play."

As the team gears up for the second half of its district slate, Lovell stresses that this first half success means nothing if it's not matched in equal measure the rest of the way.

"Consistency isn't just present at game time," he said. "It starts during training, from when we step onto the field for practice day in and day out. That's consistency and that's how we need to continue to play every game."

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