GIRLS’ SOCCER SPORTS SHORTS–
Winter 2005/06
The girls’ soccer overall record is 13-4-2 and 11-2-1 in the WSL as of Feb. 22. No. 1 seeded Central Valley Christian defeated No. 4 FC, 5-2 in the CIF Central Section Playoffs on Feb. 22 to end the Eagles’ season.
SEASON END
CIF CENTRAL SECTION DIVISION 5 PLAYOFFS
CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN 5, FC 2 on Feb. 22–
In a semi-final match that was far tighter than the final score indicated, Central Valley Christian defeated FC, 5-2, in overtime to advance to the CIF Central Section Division 5 finals against Fowler. CVC scored off a scramble in the box in the last minute of extra time to force overtime.
FC lead 2-0 at the first half as Ashley Sherr scored twice including her league-leading 45th goal to pace the Eagle attack. But the Cavaliers scored early in the second half to cut the lead in half. However, both teams had glorious opportunities to score throughout the half including Sherr’s run and dribble through the middle of the pitch. Yet her blast from 20 yards was stopped by the CVC keeper.
FC’s keeper Christina Cabias made 10 saves, many spectacular, to keep the Eagles in front until the last minute. The game pitted two rival Christian schools in an intense battle. However, after CVC’s late goal in regulation, the Eagles allowed three goals and CVC won going away.
In the other semi-final match-up, No. 2 Fowler defeated No. 3 Mission Prep, 3-2. Fowler is undefeated this season at 26-0-3 and will face No. 1 CVC (23-4-2) on Feb. 24 in Visalia.
FC 7, BAKERSFIELD CHRISTIAN 0 on Feb. 17–
Despite a downpour and threat of snow, the No. 4 Eagles will get a rematch with No. 1 Central Valley Christian as they defeated No. 5 Bakersfield Christian, 7-0, on Feb. 17. While few students braved the cold and damp, FC took out their frustrations on an overmatched Bakersfield team after their loss to Fowler the week before.
FC jumped out to an early lead and senior striker Ashley Sherr booted a hat trick in the first half including her league-leading 43rd goal of the season. However, the offense was spread around as Jennifer Rose scored twice and twin sister Michelle also scored to pace the Eagle attack as the whether did not seem to affect the FC ball control.
While the Eagles substituted freely in the second half, somewhat disrrupting their offense, Sherr still was able to break free for her 44th goal. Both sides often needed to sub out and warm up on the sidelines as the cold slowed the pace in the second half. Players commented on not being able to feel their exremities as the match came to an end.
No. 4 FC will next travel to Visalia to take on a No. 1 ranked Central Valley Christian squad who defeated No. 9 Coast-Cambria, 2-0, earlier in the day. C.V.C. defeated FC, 6-3, on Dec. 5 and has rolled to a 21-2-4 season. The game has been scheduled for Feb. 22.
In the other game of note, No. 2 Fowler defeated No. 7 Strathmore, 7-0, and will travel to No. 3 Mission-Prep of San Luis on Feb. 22.
FOWLER 2, FC 1 on Feb. 9–
The No. 2 WSL team hosted the No. 1 ranked team in the WSL in a winner take all title game on Feb. 9. However, the home team and their Eagle fans were left disappointed and a little empty as the Redcats from Fowler scored late to defeat FC, 2-1.
Fowler scored early in the first half as an outside forward sent the ball into the middle and Griselda Perez, left unmarked, hit the ball with her left foot into the far left corner. The Redcats moved the ball effectively against an Eagle team poised to challenge the front runners.
However, about half way through, forward Michelle Rose broke free of the Redcat defenders and dribbled into space on the left side. But her shot just cleared the crossbar and FC went into half time down 1-0.
?After Kristen (Amerine) cleared the ball up the field, Ashley (Sherr) received it then sent the ball into space where I carried it down the field,? Rose said. ?The keeper ran towards me and slid for the ball. I had no time to react and I took a shot in hopes of chipping it over her. Unfortunately, the ball flew over the goal.?
The teams played much of the second half in the middle of the field with occasional runs down the sides and both goalkeepers had to make uncontested saves. Then with about 10 minutes remaining Sherr broke free of the defenders and appeared ready to shoot on the keeper when she was struck down in the box.
On the subsequent penalty kick, Sherr made no mistake and deftly placed the ball into the left side for her 40th goal of the season to tie the score. The foul was the second commited in the offensive box but the only one that resulted in a PK.
Fowler scored with less than eight minutes remaining on a brilliant feed into the middle of the box. Perez, again left undetected, deflected the winner into the net.
“We had a number of opportunities to score but failed to finish,” coach Robert Foshee said. “Contrary to The Fresno Bee account, we outshot Fowler, 5-4, and the game was in doubt until the last eight minutes. We will rest up, make some adjustments and are excited to play them again.”
Fowler is seeded No. 2 and will host No. 7 Strathmore on Feb. 17 to open the Central Section Division 5 playoffs. Central Valley Christian is seeded No. 1 and has a first round bye. The other paring of note is No. 6 Liberty-Madera Ranchos opening the playoffs at No. 3 Mission Prep in San Luis Obispo.
FC 9, RIVERDALE 0 on Feb. 6–
While the rest of the campus had the day off from classes, the girls’ soccer team hosted Riverdale and seemed to take out their frustration on their opponents. FC dominated the match and defeated the Cowgirls, 9-0, on Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 6.
In a game reminiscent of the 8-0, Jan. 13 match, the Eagles pressured, passed, kicked and aggressively attacked their opponent. Senior Ashley Sherr led the charge with four goals, including her 39th of the season. Ashley’s sister, junior Amanda Sherr, and four others scored in a balanced FC attack.
As the season has progressed, the Eagle midfield and forwards have been consistently scoring to take the pressure off Ashley. Sometime keeper junior Christina Cabias, junior defender Aliza Ford and sopomore Ellie Wilhelm and sophomore forward Michelle Rose each scored when Riverdale’s defenders spent too much time marking Ashley leaving even the midfielders opportunities to score.
Riverdale did not have a quality scoring chance in the match. FC next hosts Fowler for the WSL title on Feb. 9 starting at 3:30 P.M.
FC 4, CARUTHERS 0 on Feb. 3–
With a rematch against Fowler on their minds, the girls’ soccer team were ripe for an upset. But the Eagles were no match for Caruthers as FC defeated the Blue Raiders on the road, 4-0, on Feb. 3.
Coming into the match, Caruthers was 7-4 and moving up in the WSL standings. Yet FC played a strong midfield game and the Sherr sisters dominated the score card pushing the Eagles’ win streak to 10 straight over WSL opponents.
Ashley Sherr booted a hat trick while her sister Amanda scored once to give the Eagles a chance for a WSL championship. The girls host two games next week: Riverdale on Feb. 7 and Fowler on Feb. 9. Fowler has not lost a game this season and leads the WSL. The two teams tied their first game on Jan. 17 so first place may be decided on Feb. 9 as long as FC defeats Riverdale.
FC led 2-0 at the half after Ashley scored early and set up Amada for her goal. Ashley dribbled through the midfield and scored from 18-yards out and set up Amanda on a cross who tapped it in.
Keeper Christina Cabias only was called on to make two saves each half as the Eagle defense led by Kim Bimat and Rachel Bell frustrated the Blue Raider forwards.
FC forward Jennifer Rose set up Ashley for her second goal early in the second half. Later Ashley dribbled into the box for her hat trick and 35th of the season midway through the second half to seal the Eagles’ 10th WSL win of the year.
FC 4, TRANQUILLITY 2 on Feb. 1–
FC continues to roll through West Sierra League opponents and won their 10th straight game and defeated Tranquillity, 4-2, on Feb. 1. While Tranquillity was limited to four shots on frame, the Tigers scored twice but could not overcome Ashley Sherr’s two goals, including her 32nd of the year.
FC led 2-1 at the end of the first half after Tranquillity opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes. The Tigers scored after a foul at midfield that seemed to be against the Tigers. But the call was for the Tigers who quickly moved the ball over FC defenders and scored on a rebound shot on keeper Kelsey Boogisch.
Ashley Sherr tied the score midway through the half as she dribbled through the midfield and drilled a shot into the far corner. Jenny Beckman scored late in the half after she deflected the ball in off her knee after a cross from Sherr.
The Tigers started the second half much the way they did the first and created havoc in the box during the first 15 minutes. The FC defenders were unable to clear a loose ball and Tranquillity tied the game.
However, Christina Cabias scored on a tap in after Sherr sent a cross into the box. Sherr scored her second of the game when she dribble the ball into the box and deflected a shot through the keepers legs.
FC 4, FIREBAUGH 0 on Jan. 30–
Despite low hanging clouds and the threat of rain on the horizon, FC jumped to a 2-0 first half lead and won their ninth straight game. Senior Ashley Sherr scored once each half and the Eagles defeated Firebaugh, 4-0, on Jan. 30.
Sherr opened the scoring early in the first half after settling the ball just inside the box and drilled a shot just under the bar.
With 10 minutes left in the half, junior Christina Cabias scored on a cross from Michelle Rose who sent the ball in from the right flag. Cabias took the ball midair and volleyed it just inside the near post.
FC continued to press throughout the half and only allowed Firebaugh two shots while pressuring the visitors with 12 shots on frame not including one that deflected off the bar.
The second half began much the same as the first. Ashley scored her second goal of the game and 30th of the season after a free kick from sister Amanda Sherr. Ashley took the ball into space and dribbled a couple of yards and drilled a shot from 20 yards into the far right side.
“We have played well the last week,” coach Robert Foshee said. “Our passing has improved and team defense has gotten better. We have tough games against Caruthers on Friday and host Tranquillity Feb. 1.”
The host Eagles continued to press and Rose scored her third of the year after Ashley crossed the ball into the box to sister Amanda who misfired but deflected the ball over the keeper’s head. All Rose had to do was tap the ball far post, left side.
FC 3, TRANQUILLITY 1 on Jan. 27–
After a 90 minutes bus trip out to the far reaches of the San Joaquin Valley on Jan. 27, the girls took on the Tigers for a chance to crawl back within reach of Fowler who stands atop the WSL standings (9-0-1).
Under a steady diet of pressuring Tranquillity’s defense, the Eagles turned turnovers into goals and defeated the Tigers, 3-1, on the strength of senior Ashley Sherr’s three goals. Since losing their first WSL game, FC is on an eight-game win streak and will meet Fowler at home on Feb. 9 in what is shaping up to be the game of the season.
Sherr’s hat trick included her 31st goal of the season but her goal total has fallen off last year’s record pace of 64.
FC 3, MENDOTA 0 on Jan. 23–
After an emotional win over Liberty last week, the girls’ determination and focus showed as they shut out Mendota, 3-0, on Jan. 23. The girls bolted to an early lead and were never challenged throughout.
Ashley Sherr continues to lead the offense with 28 goals and scored the first. Sherr took the opening possession, dished it to her sister, Amanda, who then sent the ball in to space. Ashley settled the ball, dribbled the ball through three defenders and sent a cross to the far right post. FC lead 1-0 after only 15 seconds.
After hitting the pole couple of times and sending the ball over the bar, FC looked as if they were becoming frustrated when Michelle Rose scored midway through the first half. After dribbling down the right side, outrunning the defenders, Rose sent a cross to an unmarked Amanda but the ball bent into the goal for her second goal of the season and the Eagles led, 2-0.
Just as the first half ended, Rose made a late run up the middle in a bid for her second of the game. However, the keeper stopped the shot but the rebound bounced back to Rose who passed off to Ellie Wilhelm who beat the keeper for her first goal of the season.
FC did not score in the second half despite numerous chances and held Mendota to only two shots on goal for the entire game.
FC 3, LIBERTY-MADERA RANCHOS 2 on Jan. 20–
With the Eagles down 2-0 at the end first half, Ashley Sherr again led FC to a 3-2 comeback win against Liberty-Madera Ranchos on Jan. 20.
While the the Eagles came out flat in the first half, the second half seemed to be a completely different game. Coach Robert Foshee juggled his line-up and pulled keeper Christina Cabias from the net and replaced her with Kelsey Boogusch who finished the game with one save.
“We came out flat after our tough match against Fowler,” Foshee said, “I thought we could use Christina in the midfield and she energized us. Sometimes a hunch pays off.”
Liberty’s two goals came after the goal scorers were left unmarked in the box. Foshee said his team came out determined in the second half to make a game of it. The Eagles were true to form as they pressed forward and had 13 shots at the Hawk goal in the second half.
Sherr scored early in the half with a shot to the far post after dribbling through the middle and the momentum swung FC’s way. Cabias tied the score with a header off a corner kick.
With less than 10 minutes left, Sherr scored her second of the game after taking a cross from Jennifer Beckman. Sherr dribbled a couple of steps and slotted the winner into the right corner from 18 yards out.
FC 3, FOWLER 3 on Jan. 17–
FC led late in the second half but Fowler’s Dulcinea De Leon scored her second goal of the game to lead the Redcats against the Eagles. Despite two overtime periods, both teams were unable to score and the WSL match ended in a 3-3 tie on Jan. 17.
Ashley Sherr scored twice and sister Amanda Sherr added the other as the Eagles continue to lead the WSL.
FC 8, RIVERDALE 0 on Jan. 13–
In her second 5-goal performance of the season, Ashley Sherr is on pace to rewrite the FC and Central Section Division 5 individual scoring records. Last season Sherr scored 64 goals, including FC’s only goal in a 2-1 lost to Central Valley Christian Cavaliers in the championship game on Feb. 24.
The Eagles dominated Riverdale throughout the match and defeated the Cowgirls, 8-0, on Jan. 13. Ashley’s sister, Amanda Sherr, Jenny Beckman and Michelle Rose also scored for FC who improved their WSL record to 4-1.
FC 4, CARUTHERS 3 (OT) on Jan. 6–
Despite a slow start and falling behind 3-1 in the first half, FC outran and outplayed Caruthers in the second half to beat the Blue Raiders in overtime, 4-3, on Jan. 9. Amanda Sherr scored her second of the game as she bent a cross that beat the keeper just inside the post to win the game in overtime.
However, the game should not have been that close; Caruthers scored on three of four shots in the first half while FC had 15 shots. The Eagle defense caught the Eagles flat footed and dribbled through the middle. The Blue Raiders smoothly passed and crossed their way to a quick 2-0 lead before Amanda Sherr took a pass up the middle from her sister Ashley Sherr and took it to the net. Amanda appeared to surprise the keeper and lobbed a 10-foot shot over her head.
However, Caruthers scored in the last two minutes of the half and led 3-1 before intermission. Yet the led would be short-lived.
Ashley drove to the net early in the second half drove a ball into the right corner. The quick goal seemed to ignite the Eagles who played with emotion. Their aggressive play and better communication seemed to tire the Blue Raiders. FC charged the ball and scored again they tied the game midway through the second half.
Ashley sent corner kick towards the net and it deflected off the keeper and Amanda finished with a tap in. FC also just missed a couple of other opportunities as both Michelle Rose and her twin sister Jennifer had shots the keeper saved. However, the heroics were left for Amanda in overtime.
On paper the Eagles should have won this game going away as FC outshot Caruthers 28-5 but settled for an OT win.
FC 5, FIREBAUGH 1 on Jan. 6–
The host Eagles could not contain striker Ashley Sherr and FC defeated Firebaugh, 5-1, on Jan. 6. Sherr scored all five FC goals as the visitors routed their hosts despite not playing since the Garces Tournament on Dec. 17.
FC at GARCES FESTIVAL IN BAKERSFIELD on Dec. 16-17
BRONZE DIVISION, POOL C–
FC went 1-2-1 in the annual Garces Festival in Bakersfield on Dec. 16-17:
FRASER MOUNTAIN 2, FC 0 on Dec. 17 (Group C Semi-finals)
FC 2, MAMMOTH 1 on Dec. 17
FC 1, SANGER 1 on Dec. 16
SUTTER 4, FC 1 on Dec. 16
FC 4, MENDOTA 1 on DEC. 15–
Ashley Sherr scored a hat trick (3 goals) and Christina Cabias added the other as the Eagles defeated Mendota, 4-1, on the road for their first win of the season.
The girls will travel to Bakersfield to play in the Garces Tournament on Dec. 16-17. They will play at CSU Bakersfield.
LIBERTY 3, FC 2 (OT) on DEC. 12–
Liberty-Madera Ranchos led 1-0 at half, but were down, 2-1, with 15 minutes left and tied the score and won in overtime on Dec. 12.
Ashley Sherr scored both FC goals as the Eagles but FC were unable to hold the lead and the Hawks won in overtime.
“We are still trying to figure out our personality,” coach Robert Foshee said. “It is a young season and we have played a tough preseason schedule but these game will help prepare us for our season.”
FC at GARCES FESTIVAL IN BAKERSFIELD on Dec. 16-17
SILVER DIVISION–
FC vs Sanger on Dec. 16
FC vs Sutter on Dec. 16
FC vs Mammoth on Dec. 17
SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL 8, FC 0 on DEC. 10–
The Eagles were outmatched by a strong Memorial team, 8-0, on Dec. 10 in a non-league match.
CVC 6, FC 3 on DEC. 5–
Powerhouse Central Valley Christian of Visalia hosted FC and beat the Eagles, 6-3, on Dec. 5. After leading 2-1 at half time, junior Jenny Beckman went down with an injury and the Eagles were unable to sustain their offensive pressure in the second half. Senior Ashley Sherr scored 2 goals while sister Amanda Sherr, ’07, added the other Eagle goal.
MC LANE 1, FC 0 on NOV. 28–
The girls lost their opening match to Mc Lane High, 0-1, on Nov. 28. They next travel to Central Valley Christian High on Dec. 5.
