A pair of A&M Consolidated underclassmen teamed up for the Crosstown Showdown's only goal as the Lady Tiger soccer team held off the senior-laden Bryan Lady Vikings 1-0 at Tigerland Stadium on Friday night.

Sophomore Blake Martin headed in a corner kick from junior Katie Berlund midway through the first half.

"There was only two of us in the 18-yard [goalie] box and there were tons of them," Martin said. "And they seemed to have a little issue or something. And I was just like, 'Let me get this in.'"

Berland's kick was perfect, reaching the target right at eye level.

"I just headed it home," Martin said. "I love heading the ball. That's my favorite way to score."

Martin initially thought she's hit the ball too high, but when she saw it go underneath the crossbar she let out a loud, "Yes!"

And it was a big no for the 10 Lady Vikings who were attempting to be the first Bryan squad to beat Consol.

"That's probably the best 80 minutes I've seen our girls play," said Bryan first-year coach Amy Pettibone. "There's that rivalry between Consol and Bryan. I think for the first time this year we came out with our desire to win being greater than our fear of losing."

Bryan had the ball in Consol's end much of the time until the Lady Tigers earned one of the match's few corner kicks with 22:39 left in the first half.

"Obviously, there's a lot of emotion when you play Bryan," veteran Consol soccer coach Stoney Pryor said. "I think it took a little time for us to settle into our game."

Martin's header was enough for Consol (10-5, 5-0) to remain tied with Belton for first in 12-5A.

"There's not a whole heck of a lot you could do about that," Pettibone said. "[But] we didn't give up. I think the team has turned the corner."

Bryan (10-6-1, 2-3) a few times had letdown after giving up a goal, but not this time.

Goalkeeper Ana Meyer, battling a shin injury, led the Bryan defensive effort along with Candace Ramsdell, Jaime Thompson, Kylie O'Connor and Allison Kalinec. They kept Consol senior Emily Smith from scoring her 12th goal -- barely.

Smith was streaking toward the goal midway through the second half but dribbled the ball a little too hard, which allowed Meyer to come out and catch it.

Consol's defense was even better.

"Our defense was very solid in doing a good job of turning them away," Pryor said. "They had some opportunities. It definitely was back-and-forth. I think we limited the number of good opportunities they had."

Martin also had a solid defensive game as did senior Shannon Schulze. Senior Megan Eikenhorst and sophomore Christina Salas combined in goal for the shutout.

"They both had some outstanding plays," Pryor said. "I felt like it was a good team effort."

Bryan's best scoring chance came early in the second half with a free kick after Sierra Garcia was knocked down. Dani Fellows rifled a low shot from 20 yards through the wall of Lady Tigers that Salas gathered in.

Hard-working Smith and Vicky Wilhelm just missed getting Consol an insurance goal, then with time running out Bryan freshman Brittany Little put a high shot on goal from 25 yards out. Salas calmly reached back for the save just in front of the crossbar.