COLLEGE STATION — The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears fought No. 2-ranked Jasper tooth-and-nail Saturday morning in the Class 4A Region III Soccer Finals but came up just short to the powerful Lady Bulldogs 2-1.

The Lady Bears (19-4-1) had the Lady Bulldogs (26-1) fighting for their survival in the second half when Lady Bear Kourtney Baldwin trimmed it to 2-1 with a big goal 19 minutes into the second half.

However, the Jasper defense held firm as the Lady Bulldogs held on for the victory.

The Lady Bear defense stood toe-to-toe with a potent Jasper offense throughout.

The Lady Bears scrambled on offense against one of the most potent defenses in the state. Jasper entered the match with 18 shutouts.

It marked Jasper’s third straight trip to the Region III Finals and they will head to the State Tournament for the second straight year. Jasper fell to Kennedale 6-0 in the state title game last year.

The Lady Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead into intermission.

Lady Bulldog Alivia Richardon made it 1-0 with 18 minutes into the half.

Caitlyn Warren gave Jasper the 2-0 edge 23 minutes in.