It was another strong defensive effort by the San Angelo Central Lady Cats Friday as they opened the Class 6A soccer playoffs with a convincing 5-0 shutout against Fort Worth Paschal in a bidistrict showdown at Abilene's Shotwell Stadium.

The Lady Cats, who haven't lost a match all season and have only been scored on in two matches, improved to 18-0-5. Central advanced to the area round Tuesday against former longtime district rival Odessa Permian. That match is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Abilene Wylie.

Permian (14-4-3) defeated El Paso Pebble Hills 2-1 Friday.

Torren Martinez, Angel Alvarado, Addison Bonaventure, Averi Handy and Aspen Connell each found the back of the net for Central.

Mikaylee Pope had two assists for the Lady Cats. Kelsey Wallace, Handy and Bonaventure had one each.

Megan White was in goal for the shutout. She's only been scored on one time in 2019.

"Overall, collectively as a group, it's one of the best games we've put out there," Central head coach Ben Henry said. "The girls are fired up. They're ready to play. They're wanting to prove something this year.

"It's just a good group of kids and they put it all together. So, yeah, I'm real pleased. All the goals from all the girls is good for future games as well, too. It spreads the wealth and the other teams may not know exactly who they have to take care of because there's a lot of girls who can come at them."

Henry talked about Tuesday's big showdown with the Lady Panthers.

"Coach (Chad) Peterson and I go way back and I know he's going to have them ready to play," the Central coach said. "It's a shame that a West Texas team has to put out another West Texas team, but we're up for the challenge.

"It's going to be a heck of a game. It always is. Every time San Angelo steps on the field with Permian it's always great to renew that rivalry and we're just really looking forward to it."

The Lady Cats have done their homework on preparing for Permian yet, but Henry has a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Lady Panthers.

"I know they're going to do what he wants them to do," the Lady Cats coach said. "They always bring a lot of energy. They have a lot of athletes every year at Permian, and we do as well. 

"I just know that they're going to be a well-coached group of girls and they're going to be motivated for the blue and orange, as we are for the 'Mojo' side of things.You don't want to get too geeked up because you want to play a little more level, but it's hard not to."

The Central girls began playing soccer in 1993 and the deepest they've ever gone in the postseason was the regional semifinals in 2000 and 2002. In 2002, the Lady Cats lost 3-2 in overtime against Coppell after leading 2-0.

The Lady Cats haven't been past the second round since 2004 when they lost in the regional quarterfinals.