The 2008 season is starting out a lot like 2007 did for the Memorial girls soccer team.

Much of that is because the Mustangs graduated only two seniors and return six, but the road is similar in other respects, too.

Memorial, which won 18 games a year ago, improved to 2-0 this season by breezing past Spring Woods 5-0 Thursday night in the first round of the Spring Branch ISD tournament at Grob Stadium.

The Mustangs scored four goals in the last 20 minutes of the first half and rarely put goalie Anna Booth in pressure situations.

“We played three scrimmages last weekend back-to-back-to-back and we struggled scoring. The defense played really well,” Memorial coach Kim York said. “Then Tuesday night (a 1-0 win against Katy) once we scored it all came together. They put a lot of pressure on themselves and they try really hard, and once they get that first goal they relax both offensively and defensively.”

Kylee Piatczyc, Brynne Walker, Ali Russo and Merritt Shivitz scored in the first half to stake the Mustangs (2-0) to a 4-0 halftime lead.

Memorial made the most of only seven shots on goal. One of the misses came from Piatczyc, who quickly composed herself.

“I had to redeem myself (for the earlier miss),” the sophomore said. “I guess I just slipped right past the defense.”

The other three goals followed in short order, making for a veritable offensive explosion.

Memorial, the defending tournament champion and favorite to repeat, plays Alief Taylor Friday night at Tully. A win should ensure the Mustangs a berth in Saturday’s 2 p.m. championship game at Grob.

Memorial earned 10 points in the tournament standings Thursday night; per the event’s rules, teams earn six points for a win, one for a shutout and one per goal scored up to three.

The Mustangs attribute their defensive strength to a change in strategy as well as depth. York has several girls who easily can switch positions, stacking the deck in York’s favor.

“We moved from a stopper-sweeper (scheme) to flat back forward and we have a lot of speed,” Piatczyc said. “We just communicate really well in the back which I think is why we’ve been able to shut out some teams.”

That group includes Walker, who alternates between forward and midfielder. She scored with 6:30 left to make it 5-0.

Alief Taylor 1, Fort Bend Kempner 0

After feeling each other out for most of the first 87 minutes, Taylor’s Megan Speer took a pass from Natalie Voo and scored the game’s only goal with 2:43 left.

Off Voo’s assist, Speer put on a spin move and snuck the ball into the left corner of Kempner’s goal.

“It was a really good cross and I just happened to be there and I tucked it in,” said Speer, a junior left midfielder.

Most of the teams’ combined 19 shots came in the final 15 minutes, when each team finally was able to sustain prolonged possessions.

“The last 10 to 15 minutes usually ends up being the most aggressive part of the game,” Speer said. “We were just realizing we needed to score and we couldn’t let them win if we wanted to do well in this tournament.”

Janet Martinez had nine saves for Taylor (1-0).

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