WESSON — The Wesson Lady Cobra soccer team squares off againstthe McLaurin Lady Tigers in the opening round of the state playoffsTuesday night at 5:30 p.m. in Brookhaven at the Hansel KingSportsplex.

The Wesson girls, coached by volunteer Robert Alsbury, are theDivision 7 1A-2A-3A champs and are 18-3 in regular season play.Maggie Sellers is an assistant coach.

‘I am ecstatic about the way the girls have played,” saidAlsbury. “They have played marvelously. When they play together,they are remarkable.”

Finishing second in the division is Natchez Cathedral whichtravels to Crystal Springs Tuesday. Cathedral beat out North Pikefor second place.

“The playoffs for soccer are like football.” explained Alsbury.”You lose once and you are gone.”

If Wesson wins, the Lady Cobras play on the Gulf Coast thisSaturday.

The Lady Cobra soccer team is made up of 20 players. Except forone senior and two juniors, the remaining players are sophomoresand younger.

Playing for the Wesson girls are Amber Bowman, Megan Wells,Brittany Easterling, Christina Fink, Trystan Eschete, StephanieBerry, Tammy Brown, Dallas Jackson, Daiven Coleman, AshleyBankston, Gloria Holcomb, Kathleen See, Kristen McLemore, AshleyBerry, Alexis Fugler, Faith Johns, Kayla Case, Chelsie Brown,Brittany Cannon, Jessica Freeman, Ashley Price and MelissaCater.

Eight of the 11 starters are sophomores or younger.

Alsbury talked about the one senior on his team, Bowman.

“Amber is a 4-year captain,” said Alsbury. “She has beenAll-District for four years. She has been the glue that has keptthis young team functioning.”

Alsbury has been a volunteer soccer girls coach for six years.He began coaching when his daughter, Lauren, was a team member.

“We are basically putting our best 11 athletes on the field,”said Alsbury. “Skill wise, there is not a lot of diffence inplaying offense and defense. It’s kind of like rugby.”

Alsbury feels the chances are good for his Lady Cobras in theupcoming playoffs.

“We have played McLaurin a couple of times already,” saidAlsbury. “I like the potential matchup in the second round(Gulfport St. John).

“We are extremely proud of the unselfish way they play.Everybody does their piece of the job. We play as a team.”