The Third Annual I-10 Shootout began Thursday and concludes Saturday for 32 teams compete in four brackets - North, South, East, and West.

The defending North champions, Cinco Ranch, faced Cypress Creek at home and lost 4-1 in the second game of the day.

The two Cougars teams met last year at the regional tournament in the quarterfinal game. Favored Cinco Ranch lost to Cy Creek 3-0.

“I think they were looking at us (today) as rivals, as far as playing the rematch,” Cy Creek coach Kathy Fling said. “And we came out here kind of lax and not really thinking about (the) rivalry.”

Cinco Ranch came out and dominated the first half with seven goal attempts and one goal. At 33:49, forward Missy Wentz kicked the goal from just out side the goalkeeper’s box. Cinco Ranch led 1-0.

But Cy Creek answered quickly with a goal from Lauren Arnold. At 29:53, Arnold put the ball at the tips of Cinco Ranch’s goalkeeper’s fingers then finished the play by putting the ball in the net.

“Our first half was a little slow,” Fling said. “They were much more aggressive and quicker going to the ball.”

After the half, Cy Creek took control of the ball and the game and scored three more goals to win 4-1.

“We had a little pep talk at halftime and then came back out here and played a much better second half,” Fling said.

At 29:44, Arnold scored her second goal of the night to give Cy Creek the lead.

“Lauren Arnold is playing her first game since coming back from an injury earlier this year,” said Fling. “She definitely makes a difference out there. She is one of our leading scorers.”

Teammate Amanda Biega followed Arnold just seven minutes later and scored from just inside mid-field. Then at 5:15, Terah Parker scored an open-net goal.

“What made the difference between halves was, we were thinking more attack in the second half and not playing defense,” Fling said. “We went for the ball, took more shots, and had the wind in our favor. We just got it more together in the second half.”

Cy Creek will face The Woodland at 6 p.m. Friday at Rhodes Stadium.

“The Woodlands is very quick, fast, and good,” Fling said. “They beat us last week 2-1.”

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