Rosamond defeats girls soccer 1-0, Feb. 23

After a successful season in league, the Eagles girls soccer team looked to be a favorite to win the Valley Championship as the No. 1 seed. The Lady Eagles showed their strength early in playoffs, defeating the Riverdale Cowboys and the Parlier Panthers 4-3 and 3-1, respectively. However, the Eagles faced their toughest opponents for the Division VI Valley Championship at home, Feb. 23.

At the beginning of the game, both teams looked capable of taking the trophy. Neither team seemed affected by the cooler temperatures that dipped into the low 40s. The Eagles showed more aggression on offense during the first half, but it was the Rosamond Roadrunners who ended up scoring first in the 12th minute.

While both the Eagles and the Roadrunners had plenty of shots on goal throughout the game, the Roadrunner’s goal in the first half proved to be the only goal of the night. Rosamond HS defeated the Eagles, 1-0. The Eagles also lost in the Valley Championship game to Frasier Mountain in 2015.

Despite coming up short in their second Valley Championship in four years, the Eagles had plenty of support from students in the stands. Colin Kennedy, ‘18, who attended FC in elementary school and returned this year, enjoyed watching the game.

“The game was very exciting to watch and was very close,” Kennedy said. “I was disappointed that the girls lost but they gave it their all and it was a good game. My favorite part about the game was seeing both sides fight hard to win the game. This is the first girls soccer game I have been too, so it was an amazing experience.”

For the team’s six seniors, Friday night’s game was their last in a FC soccer jersey. Seniors Carlee Whipple, Jenna Bynum, Cayla Rivas, Lauryn Tucker, Maicy Luginbill and Lizzie Herren were previously honored for their contributions to the team on senior night, Feb. 6.

Although she will no longer be playing on the Eagle’s soccer team, Maicy Luginbill, ’18, enjoyed her time on the team and gives encouragement to her younger teammates.

“I honestly think that together we all played very well,” Luginbill said. “We were very nervous going into the game and I think that could be something we could have changed. I think we could be more confident in ourselves. I want my teammates to be strong, confident and work as a team and have fun next year, because all together in the end it’s just about having fun and doing what you love.”

Despite losing the game, sophomore Avery Jones maintains a positive outlook about the experience.

“I thought we all did really well, we had great possession, but in the end we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net,” Jones said. “I will definitely play next year, soccer is my favorite sport and I hope to continue playing. I’m definitely going to miss all of the seniors next year. I wouldn’t change a thing we did on Friday, we all worked super hard and we overcame a lot of challenges and injuries. It was an honor to play a championship game on our home field.”

Megan LeBlanc, ’20, believes the Eagles worked hard to get to Valley’s, but wishes she had put more work in after practice to prepare for the game.

“I’m obviously upset that we didn’t win,” LeBlanc said. “We had the potential to beat Rosamond but it wasn’t in our favor that night. I love the sport and hope to go to Valley’s next year too. The seniors really led the team this year and they are some of my favorite people. I wish I had trained more for Valley’s, such as running and exercising outside of practice.”

In his first year coaching the girls soccer program at FCS, coach Matthew Markarian explains how proud he is of the team and how much improvement he has seen.

“I was extremely happy with how the girls played and developed this season,” Markarian said. Every player worked hard and did their best to contribute to our success. The girls improved in so many areas this season, the biggest improvement was in game comprehension.  We began to understand how to play the game of soccer, specifically when and where to attack and how to defend as a team.”

Historically this is the fifth Valley championship the girls team has participated in, one of the two D-VI with three D-V Valley championship attempts. The girls team has won one valley championship in 2001. Coach Markarian reveals what he expects for next year’s team.

“I fully expect to return to the valley finals and finish what we did not finish this season,” Markarian continued. “We lose some important players, but I am confident that our younger players will rise to the occasion and fill the shoes of those who are graduating.”

The Feather kept students updated through their Twitter page and posted photos of the event.

The Eagles are defeated, 1-0, by the Rosamond Roadrunners in the CIF Central Section Division VI Valley championships, Feb. 23. This game concludes the #FCgirlssoccer season. @fresnochristian #thefeather @SkusdAthletics @PAGMETER pic.twitter.com/ISMtTdLApY

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) February 24, 2018

Congratulations Lady Eagles on a fantastic season!

For more articles, read COLUMN: Becoming a smarter news consumer or Recapping Scholastic Journalism Week, Feb. 18-24.

Mariana Fikse can be reached via email.

Cathryn Vander Kooi also contributed to this article.