Grand Oaks routs Westfield, looks to snap second-round curse

Grand Oaks scored 52 seconds into the game and rolled from there, dominating Westfield 10-0 in their Region II-6A bi-district playoff game at Planet Ford Stadium.

The Grizzlies put 22 shots on goal and had 11 corner kicks in improving to 16-4-3 and advancing to the area round for the third consecutive season.

“We knew we had to play hard,” said senior defender Nicoline Veasey, who had a had trick to pace Grand Oaks’ effort. “We’ve had that second-round curse, so we knew we had to play hard so we can prepare for the next game.”

Veasey scored off a corner kick from junior midfielder Jorja Bragg to open the onslaught.

From there, the Grizzlies’ attack stalled briefly, much to coach Amy Simpson’s chagrin.

“Sometimes, I think it’s a curse to score in the first minute,” Simpson said. “I wasn’t really happy with the next 10 minutes. I thought we were playing out of sorts; we’re not a direct team. We’re not dump-and-run. It aggravated me that’s what we were trying six plays in a row.

“I pulled our captain (senior midfielder) Lauren (Moylan) out and told her we had to get everybody on the same page. We were not playing our game … short passes, get our numbers up. Once we did, it looked good.”

Moylan got her teammates in check and all was right again.

The Grizzlies’ movement and first touches were exceptional the rest of the way, and Grand Oaks capitalized on corner kicks.

Sophomore forward Ashlynn Sharp struck on an assist from senior midfielder/forward Maddie Bruegger, who scored two goals. Veasey scored again on an assist from Moylan. Moylan, who also had two goals, scored on an assist from Sharp.

Veasey scored her final strike on an assist from Bruegger, who then found the back of the net on a swift one-on-one breakaway.

Bragg struck on an assist from senior Haley Meek and Moylan wrapped up the demonstrative showing with a goal off an assist from junior Bailey Bruschke.

Grand Oaks led 6-0 at halftime. Westfield, which ended its season 15-5-1, registered just one shot on goal and no corner kicks.

“Overall, I’m happy,” Simpson said. “We’ve got to continue to step it up if we want to get past that dreaded second round. We’ve got to be better with our first touch and possession.

“If we can keep out composure and don’t panic, we’ll be fine.”

The game was a rematch of last year’s bi-district playoff, which Grand Oaks won 8-0.

The Grizzlies advance to play Bridgeland, which earned the program’s first playoff win with a 4-1 decision over Tomball Memorial on Friday.

“We just need to play like we can,” Veasey said. “Play to our potential. Good first touches, good passes. Play together. Give it our all.”

And what gives Veasey and her teammates confidence this year can be the one to break the curse?

“I feel like we work better together,” Veasey said. “Last year, we worked well, but this team has something about being happy and looking forward to being together.”

dennis.silva@houstonchronicle.com