GIRLS’ SOCCER SPORT SHORTS, 2011-12–
(Scrimmages do not count toward win/loss record. Visit the Sports Section for girls’ soccer features).

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 2-4 overall as of Dec. 3. The Eagles will next travel to Minarets, Dec. 6.

GIRLS’ SOCCER, 2011-12

FOWLER LIONS CLUB SOCCER TOURNAMENT
FC LOOSES TO FIREBAUGH IN SHOOTOUT, 0-0 (2-0)—Dec. 3
Though FC dominated the majority of the game, they were unable to move past the defensive line forcing the match to a penalty shootout.

The Eagles threatened to score, showing more control over the ball than the previous game. Although there was more intensity on the field, FC entered the field defeated, allowing their loss to Minarets effect their play.

Ending in a tie, the game went to a shootout. The Eagles missed every shot while Firebaugh made two goals to finish with a win.

Team captain Theresa Perez, ’13, recalls the game with regret, feeling as though the outcome was avoidable.

“Personally I think we could’ve played better as a team,” Perez said. “We should’ve called for the ball more and communicated across the field. Because of the game against Minarets it made me want to try harder and give more effort in this came. I wish we could’ve won and as a captain I feel like I let the team down.”

Despite ending the tournament 2-4, assistant coach Olivia Torres recognizes the Eagles’ strengths throughout the tournament.

“The team did great on Saturday and is a very strong and talented team,? Torres said. ?Their strengths are that they never give up and they always fight, and never lose hope. All of them have good chemistry and they always help one another out, especially when someone gets hurt. We have a strong offense and defense.”

Along with the strengths Torres saw, she also shares their weaknesses, but her confidence in the team’s improvement.

“Our weaknesses are that we are not aggressive enough and are not first to the ball,” Torres. “They improved in the tournament with confidence and now I think they can win. I look forward to watching the team grow and become great players, and watching them win more games. I am confident that they will be a great team this year.?

The Eagles finished the Fowler Lions Club Tournament with a 2-4 record.

MINARETS TAKES FIFTH PLACE TITLE, 2-0–Dec. 3
Within the first few minutes of the game, Minarets took possession of the ball to allow a win against the Eagles, 2-0, Dec. 3.

FC came out flat and lacked aggression as well as energy on the field. Due to a foul outside the eighteen, the Mustangs were able to tap in the free kick to end the half a goal ahead.

MIscommunication and a few defensive lapses gave Minarets the second scores of the match. The Mustang defense kept up with the speed of FC’s forwards which resulted in few opportunities to score. Despite a few breakaways FC failed to put away their chances to put points on the board.

Freshmen Ivette Ibarra was a starting midfielder for the game and recognized the team’s lack of effort.

“At the beginning of the game I think we were all just tired and we were being a little reckless, “Ibarra said. “Our defensive needs to pull back because they [Minarets] had lots of runs and got lots of shots. We need communication and the midfielders need to help out.”

The Eagles will next play Firebaugh for the eighth place title, Dec. 3.

ORANGE COVE FORCES SHUTOUT, 7-0–Dec. 1
Coming out fresh, Orange Cove Titans began their first game of the day with intensity outrunning the fatigued Eagles defense, winning 7-0, Dec. 1.

Already weary from the previous game, FC could not contest Orange Cove’s offensive skill as they secured three goals within the first half, including one in the final two minutes. The Eagles held possession at certain marks within the match but ultimately squandered all chances.

Although the Eagles pressured the ball in the Titan goal box for about six minutes midway through the half, they failed to score.

Due to various injuries Maddie Yee, Ashley Erickson, and Tynin Fries were subbed from the game, giving the Orange Cove starters the advantage. FC played their second and third string much of the second half.

These players should be back for future games. With three starters out, the Eagles struggled to gain any points on the score board. Freshman Rhyann Crain played goalie during the game, but felt the change with the loss of injured players.

“It was scary to have our players out,” Craine said. “We all had to kick it up a level to reach the same efforts as them. I think we will do good on Saturday as long as we put out mind to it and don’t give up, I think we will do good.”

Joanna Valtierra scored three of the seven points, while both Neda Roman and Mari Cruz-Chapa each scored two, resulting in a Titans’ 7-0 victory over the Eagles.

Due to FC’s two victories, the Eagles placed third among their pool, and will move on to play Minarets (O’Neals), the third place team in Pool B at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 3.

FC DOMINATES IMMANUEL, 3-1–Dec. 1
In the second day of the Fowler Lions Club Tournament, the FC girls soccer team played two games, which resulted with one win and one loss, Dec. 1.

During FC?s first match against the Immanuel Eagles, the team worked well to work the ball up the field and make several passes in front of the goal.

Within the first ten minutes, the ball was moved towards Immanuel?s goal box where junior Captain Maddie Yee passed the ball to senior Brooke Stobbe, who scored her first goal of the season.

?I was really excited to be on the field and be a starter from the beginning,? Stobbe said. ?I felt that the girls were all playing as a team, and the ball was at top for a while, so when I scored I was really excited to get on the board and get the game off to a good start. I only scored once last year, so it?s fun to have already matched last year?s record, and it?s still the beginning of the season. I have to continue to help my team this year and play my part well.?

Shortly after scoring their first goal, FC continued to drive the ball forward, scoring their second goal by sophomore Mikayla Messer, assisted by Stobbe. About five minutes later, the ball was set up in front of the goal where Stobbe shot was blocked, but was recovered by Yee, who scored FC?s third goal of the game.

?Seeing Mikayla and Brooke score at the beginning of the game pumped me up, but made me want to focus on the game even more to make sure we could pull out a win,? Yee said. ?When the ball deflected back to me after Brooke tried shooting again, and there was an open space, I just kicked the ball as powerful as I could and hoped it would go in. After it did go in, I felt good about maintaining my focus in the game, and was proud of the team for working well together to move the ball up-field.?

Before the first half ended, a penalty kick was given to the Immanuel Eagles and was successfully made into the box by senior Becca Orta, making the score 3-1, with FC still leading. Throughout the second half, both teams played defensively to the end of the game, resulting in an FC victory.

FC will next face the No. 3 team from the other pool on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Check back for more information as it will be posted when it becomes available.

PARLIER BEATS EAGLES, 2-1, ON LATE GOAL–Nov. 30
In the late game, the Eagles led most of the way but the Panthers scored two second half goals to defeat the Eagles, 2-1, Nov. 30.

A goal shot by Captain Tynin Fries, ’14, found the back of the net early on for a promising start to the match. The 39 degree weather combined with fatigue allowed Parlier to overtake the Eagles in the second half. FC had changes to extend their lead with Mikayla Messer, ’14, taking the ball past their defensive line, one shot missing its target, and the second collected by the goalkeeper with two minutes remaining.

“I was pretty angry with my performance,” Messer said. “I felt like I could’ve done better and the pressure of it all and only me up there with me and the goalie got to me. I think that’s why I didn’t do my best. I think taking my time and not letting the pressure get to my head by having confidence will help for future games.”

The Eagles will verse Immanuel next in the Fowler Tournament, Dec. 1.

FC TOPS FOWLER ON ROAD, 2-1–Nov. 30
For the first game of the season, the Eagles played against the Fowler Redcats in the Fowler Lions Club Tournament, Nov. 30.

FC caught the Redcats flat as sophomore Mikayla Messer ripped a shot from 18 yards out off the crossbar to score. The Eagles led, 1-0, after the first 10 minutes. Late in the first half, FC found the back of the net again when junior Ashley Erickson knocked one in on a free kick to put FC up 2-0. Fowler was able to answer back with a goal in the second half, but the Eagles held on to win 2-1.

The Eagles will next play Parlier in the Fowler Tournament, Nov. 30.