GIRLS’ SOCCER SPORT SHORTS, 2011-12–
(Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ soccer features). For a simple overview of scores and upcoming games, check the Winter sport box scores, 2011-12, for dates, opponents and times for all Eagle sports.
Be sure to visit the 2011-12 girls’ soccer schedule, home page, or check out Maxpreps.com. FC is currently 0-0 in the West Sequoia League and 4-7 overall as of Dec. 17. The Eagles will next travel to Fowler, Jan. 10.
GIRLS’ SOCCER, 2011-12
GARCES HOLIDAY SOCCER FESTIVAL (Bronze Division)–Dec. 16-17.
EAGLES DEFEAT SCORPIONS, 2-0–Dec. 17.
With a win earlier, the Eagles headed into their second game of the day in the Bronze Division. FC faced off against the Desert Scorpions, Dec. 17. And in a spirited game which saw numerous fouls and chippy play, the Eagles defeated Desert, 2-0, to improve their Garces record to 2-1 and a 5th place finish.
Within the first five minutes of the half, the Eagles scored their first goal with a high corner shot by freshman Mackenzie Devereaux. She appeared to catch the Desert goalkeeper coming out to challenge her and Devereaux deftly drilled a shot from the right side about 25 yards out.
While the Scorpions pushed for much of the half, the Eagle defense held their ground, catching Desert off-sides multiple times, frustrating them.
“That was a pretty intense game,” Devereaux said. “There was a lot of arguing back and forth between the teams. In the end I think we did well because we kept our focus and that helped us win the game.”
As the tensions of the game continued, so did the tensions between players. With many fouls, both teams emotions continued to build resulting in many warning and two yellow cards. Captain Theresa Perez, ’13, and an opposing player simultaneously received yellow cards shortly before the end of the first half.
One foul, called on sophomore Katie King took place inside the goal box, which brought a penalty kick against keeper sophomore Annalise Rosik. Rosik outguessed the Desert forward, diving to her right of the goal and FC’s defensive players successfully carried the ball up to the mid-field.
The successful stop of a penalty kick seemed to bring the angst of the Desert team to a higher level.
One referee called a captain meeting mid-game with about three minutes of the first half remaining. He warned all the captains, three from each team, to keep their team in check and stop the verbal and physical arguments. From then on, the number of fouls diminished.
The half was ended with the Eagles on top, 1-0. At the beginning of the second half, both teams came out determined to advance the ball but both teams failed to score. And then with about 15 minutes left of the game, Devereaux scored once again with a run up the middle to secure the Eagles win.
“We were able to prove that as a team we could keep our focus and work hard together,” Devereaux said. “I wouldn’t have been able to score if it weren’t for the help of the team getting the ball up to me.”
Overall the Eagles made 18 shots on goal and Rosik was able to stop all shots from the Scorpions, including a high blast labeled for the top of the net. However, in a last gasp lung, Rosik leaped successfully deflecting the ball off the crossbar.
Head coach Tony Martinez is proud of the team and their hard work against Desert.
“This was their best game so far,” Martinez said. “They played with a passion and a will to win. It was an impressive win by the Eagles. The girls finally started to play as a team and they knew they could win. They started passing, defending and attacking the ball. They never quit and even kept their sportsmanship.”
The Eagles will next travel to Fowler, Jan. 10.
For previous sport shorts, read the Dec. 8 article Girls soccer sport shorts: Minarets.
FC COMES BACK AFTER LOSS, DEFEATS KENNEDY, 2-1–Dec. 17.
After losing their first game to the Junior Varsity Wasco high school team in the first day of the annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival, FC focused their efforts on preparing for the last day of games, Dec. 17.
The Eagles faced the Kennedy Thunderbirds in the first game and came out ready to improve their play from the previous day. And play they did. The Eagles dominated most of the game, keeping pressure on Kennedy, ultimately outshooting them by a wide margin. FC won the first game of Garces, defeating the Thunderbirds, 2-1.
But the game looked different than the match would end up. Kennedy started the game fast, out hustling the Eagles early. Within the first three minutes of the half, the Thunderbirds were able to score.
The Eagles however, did not wilt and pressed Kennedy much of the first half. In fact, FC hit the bar four times and had numerous scrambles in front of the goal line but could not get the ball over the line. The game remained 1-0 for the first half.
During the final half of the game, junior captain Maddie Yee brought the ball up field and crossed the ball to senior Brooke Stobbe, who scored on a scramble from four yards out. Although the ball was deflected by a defender, Stobbe was able to recover it and send it home, tying the game, 1-1, early in the second half.
The Eagles and Thunderbirds continued to battle for possession of the ball throughout the rest of the game, working both their defense and offense. Before the second ended, freshman Gabby Siqueiros ran the ball down the left line and sent the ball to junior forward Brianna Walker, who tapped the ball in on the right side of the goalie.
“It felt really good to score my first goal in the tournament and I thought in the second half we all played really well together,” Walker said.
Throughout the game, the Eagles made 22 shots on goal, and goalies Rhyann Crain, ?15, and Annalise Rosik, ?14, made 6 saves combined. After scoring their second goal, FC maintained possession, ending with a 2-1 victory.
Assistant coach Olivia Torres acknowledges the girls? transition from the first day of the tournament and applauds them for staying focused throughout the game.
?The girls did great and the team played beautifully,? Torres said. ?They are coming along great and the team has improved a lot since day one when we struggled to score our first goal. But once we got it and they guys relaxed, it was great to see them keep their heads up and come back and win.”
FC SHOWS DETERMINATION BUT FAILS TO FINISH, 2-0, Dec 16
In the Eagles first game of the tournament, they drove straight from school to Wasco High School to face the JV Tigers, Dec 16. The two hours in the car seemed to doom the team from the start and the road-weary Eagles dropped their opening match of the Garces Holiday Festival, 2-0.
With their energy sucked from a long car ride, they entered the tournament without three core players, causing FC to adapt early on in order to rival Wasco. Lining up with five midfielders instead of the usual three also proved to be a readjustment for the Eagles.
Though the teams desire to win was evident, they failed to find the back of the net on numerous occasions. After the Tigers scored in a break away, the Eagles had trouble regaining momentum and ended the half down a goal.
During the second half FC felt the effects of the cold setting in, as their energy and fervor seemed to diminish. Wasco scored yet again and the Eagles spent the remainder of the half pushing forward but the Tigers defense remained solid forcing a 2-0 shut out.
For Gaby Siqueiros, ’15, the outcome of the game was an unfortunate ending to a well-fought match although she recognizes areas which need improvement.
“I think we need to stay confident, always be first to the ball, and not sink down to their level,” Siqueiros said. “We did well with encouraging others and helping each other out with our new offensive strategy.”
Assistant coach Olivia Torres had no complaints when it came to FC’s level of intensity, but wished for a different outcome.
“They played great,” Torres said. ” They struggled to get a goal but we took plenty of shots we just need to learn to follow through. The five midfielders made a difference and we controlled the middle better than normal. We dominated most of the game we just made two mistakes.”
