GIRLS’ SOCCER SPORT SHORTS, 2009-10–
(Latest girls’ soccer shorts will be at the top of the section. Scroll down to check out past results. Tournament games do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ soccer features).

Be sure to visit the 2009-10 girls’ soccer schedule and the Eagles’ home page or FC’s roster page, or check out Maxpreps.com. FC finished 5-13-1 overall, and 1-7-0 in the West Sequoia League.

GIRLS’ SOCCER, 2009-10

SEASON END

CARUTHERS SHUTS OUT FC IN FINAL GAME–Feb. 11
As the stands were filled with balloons, flowers and fans holding up signs for their seniors. The Eagles came into the game with energy and excitement, but failed to put up a last senior night win, losing 6-0.

Despite only five wins overall, senior captain Heather Lichti found the year to be one of the best she has ever had.

“This was probably the most fun season I’ve had because we did a lot more stuff as team,” Lichti said. “We went on retreats and did others stuff as a team. Since we were so close to one another losing wasn’t as bad because we made it more about having fun than winning.”

Rachel Guthrie, ’10, not only had an enjoyable season, but saw immense improvement in her game since she was a freshman.

“My freshman year I didn’t play a lot, but I’ve definitely improved and that’s because of coach,” Guthrie said. “She helped get my confidence up and didn’t really criticize me for the things I did wrong, but rather told and showed me how to improve which made this season a lot of fun.”

Many players have a specific highlight from their season and Guthrie says the first time they played Tranquillity was hers.

“The Tranquillity away game was the best game,” Guthrie said. “There was a puddle and the ball would always get stuck. When we’d kick it, it would go like an inch and we’d splash around it. It was also interesting with the thunderstorm in the background and the game almost got canceled but we won.”

Compared to previous seasons the team went on two retreats and did other activities: Pismo and Shaver, and team dinners.

“This year was the perfect year for eight seniors to have,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “We went on two retreats, a two day tournament, we had team dinners and crazy nights, doing crazy things. Last year we didn’t do any retreats, team dinners or crazy things. The girls also played tough in every game, and if they lost, it didn’t hurt too bad because they had a good time playing together as a team. We grew as a team and built relationships that I am positive will last a long time.”

FC DOWNS TRANQUILLITY–Feb. 10
While the Eagles previously beat Tranquillity 7-0, the Tigers would not be embarrassed this time. The first half featured tight checking and a lot of midfield play and the two teams finished the first half tied, 1-1.

However, senior Heather Lichti added two more goals to her first half marker and the Eagles pulled away with a 4-1 win, Feb. 10.

“The first half of the game was rough,” Lichti said. “But during the second half, we began to pick it up and we scored more. We started sending the ball up to the goal so we could get more shots on goal.”

RIVERDALE SHUTS OUT FC–Feb. 4
Despite previously losing to the Cowgirls’s 7-1, FC was able to hold Riverdale at two, but were shut out, 2-0, Feb. 4.

Ten minutes into the game Riverdale had a corner kick and the kicker dropped it right into the back corner. However, FC kept it at 0-1 for the entire first half.

“So the score was 1-0 at half time,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “I told the girls that they were playing well and tough, to stick with it and that 1-0 is a huge improvement from the last time we played them.”

About 20 minutes into the second half the Cowgirls’s got a fast break and scored, 2-0. Ten minutes later FC was given an indirect kick, but the shot was blocked by their wall. This was FC’s only chance on goal.

“Last time we played Riverdale, we lost 7-1,” Tatum said. “It was embarassing and not fun at all. This time we mentally shut down two of their players, which was our goal and we kept the ball out of our defensive third as much as we could. Overall the girl’s played a very tough game, they were physical and played hard.”

FC BEATS PANTHERS–Feb. 1
Although Parlier kept the ball on the Eagles defensive third for about a solid 20 minutes, FC managed to work up the field at about the 25th minute and senior Heather Lichti took a shot sending it into the right corner of the net and the Eagles defeated Parlier, 1-0, Feb. 1.

As Lichti’s goal appeared to boost FC’s energy, they continued on to play aggressive offensive. However, late in the second half, Parlier had a chance to tie it up, but Jessa Searles, ’10, made a diving save to keep their lead.

“For the first 20 minutes of the first half they [FC] were slow to the ball, sluggish to get back on their man and not passing at all,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “After about 25 minutes into the first half though, Heather Lichti scored a beautiful upper right shot and the girls got pumped up after that. We really wanted to beat Parlier and now that we have, we need to start preparing for Riverdale on Thursday.”

EAGLES LOSE TIGHT GAME–Jan. 28
Fowler put huge amounts of pressure on senior keeper Jessa Searles, with shots throughout the entire game. Late in the first half the Redcats finally knocked in the lone goal of the game. Desptie a few looks at frame, FC was unable to put up any points, Jan. 28.

“I felt like we should have scored and I also felt like the score should not have ended in Fowler’s favor,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “Last time we played Fowler the score was 8 to 1. So, if I were to compare, the girls have definitely improved. They are getting stronger on defense, their clears are further and our passing has improved immensely.”

BLUE RAIDERS DEFEAT EAGLES–Jan. 26
Both teams had equal chances to score, with numerous shots on goal, but Caruthers persistence prevailed in the end. In the last 10 minutes Caruthers scored off of a corner kick and then with about five minutes they scored on a free kick at the 18′, sending the Eagles to a 2-0 defeat, Jan. 26.

“We played a tough game and a very physical one at that,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “The girls held Caruthers 70 minutes with no goals. I am very proud of the girls and I think I can speak for them when I say that I am ready for our first home game on Thursday against Fowler!”

EAGLES SHUT OUT TIGERS–Jan. 22
FC scored within the first 15 minutes of the game by senior forward Paige Powell, who scored off of a free kick by junior Cassidy Hutchins. Boosting the Eagles confidence, they went on to knock in three more goals in the first half, 4-0. Tranquility was unable to make up the difference and FC dominated and scored three more to end the game, 7-0, Jan. 22.

“The girls seemed ready for the game, but coming off of two days without practice, I wasn’t sure what to expect from them,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “The first half started and quickly, it was 3 to zero and we were ahead. The girls seemed to be having fun in the puddles, but they said at one point that it felt like the game was in slow motion because of the muddy mess. Tranquility was a very nice team who wasn’t physical and this allowed us to have fun, but play tough at the same time.”

RIVERDALE BEATS FC–Jan. 19
The Cowgirls’s came out hard scoring their first three goals within ten minutes of the game. However, the Eagles responded with a goal late in the half by senior forward Heather Lichti, who scored from a corner kick by junior Cassidy Hutchins. Riverdale kept up the pressure with shots on frame and scored three more, creating the game ending score, 7-1, Jan. 19.

FC LOSES TO PARLIER–Jan. 15
Despite six shots on goal by junior Cassidy Hutchins and one or two each by seniors Heather Lichti and Paige Powell, the Panthers kept them at zero. The game remained 0-0 until the last five minutes where Parlier scored off a backside run, as a Panther attacker was left unmarked, shutting out FC, 1-0, Jan. 15.

FOWLER DOMINATES EAGLES–Jan. 12
Though FC scored within the first five minutes of the game and held their the whole first half, they broke down in the second half. The Redcats aggressive forecheck overpowered the Eagles defense as Fowler went on to win, 8-1, Jan. 12.

FC FALLS TO YOSEMITE–Jan. 6
The Eagles came out timid against the Badger’s due to Yosemite’s recent win against Farmersville, though they put up a fight the first half but ended up losing, 4-0, Jan. 6.

GARCES HOLIDAY SOCCER FESTIVAL–Dec. 18-19
FC LOSES TO CENTENNIAL IN PK–Dec. 19
With little offense to move them forward and too much time on defense, the Eagles chance to even their record in Bakersfield fell short in PKs. The Centennial Warriors outscored the Eagles, 2-1, in penalties and won by the same score. FC finished the 20th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival with a 1-3 record, Dec. 19.

After a scoreless first half with few offensive opportunities, Centennial scored first as a loop ball sailed over an Eagle defender’s head. The match became even tighter when late in the half, junior Cassidy Hutchins scored on a corner kick as her shot bent and surprised a Golden Hawk defender, glancing off her shoulder and into the net.

The game went to overtime and penalty kicks to decide the winner. Senior Melissa O’Leary scored for the Eagles but two Golden Hawk players scored to win the match for the side from Bakersfield.

FC finished the 20th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival with a 1-3 record in the Bronze Division. Sponsored by Bakersfield’s Garces Memorial High School, over 175 teams participated in the tournament at 15 different sites in five different divisions.

DIVISION III RIGHETTI CONTROLS FC, WIN 3-0–Dec. 19
Righetti JV from Santa Maria, CA, controlled the game from start to finish as the Eagle spent nearly the whole game defending in front of their own net. FC looked overmatched from the start, giving the team from Santa Maria full marks for the win.

The Warriors scored twice in the first: a point blank shot after a run right down the center field and the second on a break away. FC had one opportunity to score when junior Cassidy Hutchins’ penalty kick clipped the top of the bar and bounce out of bounds.

Righetti scored their third goal in the second half off a corner kick to a Warrior forward at the left-side of the goal.

FC DOWNS ARVIN, 1-0, WIN FIRST GAME–Dec. 18
While most of the game was played in neutral territory, FC made a second half goal stand up and beat the Arvin Bears (Arvin, CA), 1-0, Dec. 18. This was the second game of the day for both squads.

The first half had a lot of back and forth play without any offensive chances. In fact only junior Cassidy Hutchins had a shot on goal. The second half was much the same as both teams looked tired. Senior Heather Lichti’s lone shot on goal came from 25 feet out. The game’s only goal came in the second half on a left side corner kick; Hutchins scored as she bent the ball in and over keeper’s head.

KENNEDY USES 2ND HALF GOAL TO DEFEAT EAGLES, 1-0–Dec. 18
In their first game of the largest soccer tournament on the United States, the Kennedy Thunderbirds (Delano, CA) defeated FC, 1-0, in Bakersfield. Minutes into the second half a Kennedy striker scored on a five-foot put in straight past the Eagle keeper for the only goal.

The Eagles had many opportunities to score in both halves but came up empty. Seniors Heather Lichti and Rachel Fralick and junior Cassidy Hutchins each had shots on frame. In the second half, Hutchins took three corner kicks but Eagle forwards could not capitalize. Junior Jenna Yee was effective as sweeper controlling the Thunderbird’s frequent shots on goal.

FC also had shots on goal in second half: seniors Paige Powell and Rachel Guthrie as well as Hutchins could not prevent the shut-out.

FARMERSVILLE SHUTS OUT EAGLES–Dec. 16
With finals and Christmas break just in front of them, the girls’ team did not seem prepared to take on an aggressive Aztec team on the eve of the largest high school soccer tournament in the western U.S. days away.

“It definitely was not our best game,” senior Paige Powell said. “Everyone had some fault in the loss. We were playing lazy and just watching the ball. This resulted in a horrible, disgusting loss.”

The visitors from Farmersville kept pressuring the Eagles all afternoon and cruised to a 6-0 win over FC, Dec. 16. The Aztecs kept the ball in the offensive zone, giving FC few opportunities. Junior Cassidy Hutchins and freshman Maddie Yee each had one shot towards frame but did not threaten the Farmersville net.

“Our starting keeper was not available today, so we had to put Courtney Franz in net even though she had never played the position,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “This just threw every body off. Farmersville had a great offense and our defense was up against a wall. We had trouble figuring out who to mark because of the way they played the field.”

EAGLES BEAT MINARETS IN HOME OPENER–Dec. 8
After going winless in the Fowler Tournament, the Eagles won their home opener, scoring the first three goals of the match en route to a 4-1 victory over Minarets High, Dec. 8.

Senior Heather Lichti scored the only goal of the first half at the 27 minute mark off a free kick from junior Cassidy Hutchins. Freshman Maddie Yee had two shots on frame but was unable to beat the Minarets keeper.

Even though Minarets did not have a shot on frame, coach Jennifer Tatum was frustrated after the half and told her players to raise their level of play.

“They (Minarets) were a slow and young team and I feel like we stooped to their level of play and didn’t play our game,” Tatum said. “Heather Lichti put a goal in before half time, but it was only 1-0 at half. I told the girls that 1-0 can quickly become 1-1. They needed to pick it up and stop playing at Minarets level.”

FC started the second half a focused team and had seven shots on frame. They pushed forward, causing turnovers in the middle. It paid off as senior Paige Powell sent Yee into the box 11 minutes into the half. Yee beat the keeper as the ball slipped through her fingers.

“After my first goal, I was a little mad at myself because I basically took the ball from Paige,” Yee said. “My plan was to get the ball so Paige could set up for a shot but I ended up scoring. I felt bad.”

Coach Jennifer Tatum did not see Yee’s muff pass/shot but was impressed with the young freshman forward.

“Maddie Yee, who plays an offensive middle, proved to me that she is fast and capable of scoring goals,” Tatum said. “With one goal under her belt, Maddie continued to push hard until she got her second goal. Maddie is a person who never gives up and pushes through her injuries and her fatigue.”

Junior Cassidy Hutchins sent Yee into space just outside the box 22 minutes gone and Yee dribbled left and shot a right-foot winner just under the bar for her second goal of the match.

However, FC let down 13 minutes later with a shot that seemed to sneak by senior keeper Jessika Searles on the left side. Yet Searles’ one-handed save minutes later in the half kept the Eagles in front until the offense scored again.

But the Eagles seemed undeterred by some chippy play and responded to Minarets’ goal with some aggressive play of their own. FC answered 8 minutes later when Powell’s shot deflected off the Minarets’ keeper and Hutchins stroked home her first goal of the season.

After the game, Tatum supported senior Melissa O’Leary after the fullback kept the Minarets team scoreless through much of the game.

“O’Leary truly proved herself as one of my toughest defenders,” Tatum said. “She was stuck marking one of Minarets toughest players and she held her ground. She didn’t let the other girl push her around and she stood her ground.”

The Eagles next play Farmersville at home, Dec. 16.

FOWLER TOURNAMENT–Dec. 2-5
CORCORAN ESCAPES WITH 1-0 WIN–Dec. 3
In an evenly played match, Corcoran parlayed an early first half tally to a 1-0 win over the Eagles, sending FC home early in the Fowler Tournament, Dec. 3.

The game was slow and evenly matched. According to Eagle coach Jennifer Tatum, FC passed more that the first three games and started to play better as a team.

“Corcoran got an early goal against us,” Tatum said. “They caught us on our heels and scored. We played tough and played our game, but it was too little too late for us. The girls played great, but in the end, they were tired, out of shape with a couple of them struggling with injuries.”

Junior Rachel Wilhelm was injured in the second half of the Firebaugh game but a number of players continued with bumps and bruises.

Senior Heather Lichti had two shots on frame while senior forward Paige Powell dribbled into the box for a shot but the Corcoran keeper kept the Eagles scoreless.

FC, FIREBAUGH PLAY TO A 0-0 DRAW–Dec. 3
Despite 10 Eagle shots on goal, Firebaugh and FC dueled to a 0-0 draw, Dec. 3 to continue play in the Fowler Tournament, Dec. 3. Senior Jessika Searles earned her first ever soccer shut out in only her third game.

Fresh off the varsity volleyball team’s state playoff run, Searles kept her team in the game and earned the coaches praise.

“After watching Jessa on the court, I asked her to step up her aggressive play,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “She was a go to player in volleyball and she needs to be on the soccer field.”

Searles made a key save in the first half, stopping a Firebaugh shot to the right post and two in the second from within the box.

“I’m afraid I might hurt someone,” Searles said before the game but coach told mean ‘you’re a goalie; it’s okay to feel that way, but don’t let that stop you from being aggressive.”

While the Eagles did not have a clear opportunity to score, their defense keep them in the game.

“We pushed offensively and started to pass and trust each other,” Tatum said. “That is what got us up the field. Our defense was great.”

RIVERDALE DOWNS EAGLES IN TOURNAMENT OPENER–Dec. 2
The Eagles offense kept Riverdale in check and Jessa saved a 8-foot shot from the left side of the box in the first 10 minutes. Then she beat the offense to a ball minutes later after a bad pass by Riverdale. Two minutes into the second half, Searles saved a shot from the right side just beyond the 18.

“The games were frustrating because its our first time playing together as a team and we are still finding everyone’s strengths and weaknesses,” senior Paige Powell said. “I think these first two games were learning experiences for everyone on the team. We know what we did wrong and tomorrow (Dec. 3) we have a chance to try again and improve.”

Searles however, could not stop the the Cowgirl attack and Riverdale beat the Eagles, 4-0.

“The offensive player of the Riverdale game would probably have been Heather Lichti,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “She made things happen on the offensive half of the field and she pushed hard, even though she was tired.”

Defensively, the Eagles struggled at times to control the Cowgirls but Tatum praised senior fullback Melissa Melissa O’Leary.

“The defensive player for the Riverdale game was Melissa O’Leary,” coach Tatum said. “She was able to clear the ball with her left every time. She also kept the ball out of the goal box and away from our goalie.”

Tatum said she told the girls that they needed to trust each other and play like a team rather than selfish play.

“I understand that this is their first two games,” Tatum said, “but they played like individuals on the field and when there’s 10 other girls on the field, you can’t play like an individual. They need to pass and trust each other on the field. If they don’t learn to play like a team, then this will be a long season.”

CARUTHERS BLANKS EAGLES, 2-0, IN GAME 2–Dec. 2
Jessa Searles made two saves in the game: the first shot was from the right in the first half and the second shot from the left side in the second half.

“The offensive player against Caruthers game would have been (freshman) Maddie Yee,” coach Jennifer Tatum said. “She played tough and never gave up. She got taken out and got up, took a couple deep breaths and then kicked her free kick. She pushed through the entire game and proved herself to me.”

While Caruthers dominated the offensive play, Tatum said consistency is important for the season and junior Jenna Yee helps settle her young team.

“The defensive player for the Caruthers game was Jenna Yee,” Tatum said. “She is our sweeper and that is exactly what she did. She swept that defensive third. She kept the ball out of the defensive third and played tough.”

FC Girls’ Soccer ’10 from Tyler Duerr on Vimeo.