By Rosa Cesareo
Dominating Green Valley, women’s soccer won 1-0 at home on Monday, Sept. 27 after an unexpected, tiebreaking goal.
“The competition is solid,” Coach Neel said. “In the past we’ve had weaker teams in our conference, but they are all strong this year. Games are closer and that better prepares us for playoffs.”
Many close calls were narrowly avoided; four minutes before the end of the second quarter, goalie Taylor Book, 9, blocked the Gator’s ball from entering the goal. The Cougars fought a long war against the Gators, communicating and working hard to keep the ball on their side of the field.
“I love working together with everyone. When you do something and it pays off, it feels great,” Caitlin Shannon, 10, said. “Having an off-field relationship with your teammates is important because it lets you know how they think so you can tell what they are going to do on the field.”
Despite the players’ strategic decisions, the referee gave a yellow card to Katelyn Moxley, 11. Adding a touch of dramatic tension to the game, multiple other fouls were called to the disapproval of many fans. However, the girls continued to fight
“Our team has heart, and so when we can’t figure it out one way we are able to change things around and figure it out another, just based on their desire to put balls in the back of the net,” Neel said.
Olivia Meza, 12, made the winning shot and led her team to victory against their tough opponents with just two minutes left on the clock.
“I was so happy. We prepared for this season by coming to every practice with hard work and effort,” Cassidy Bibbings, 10, said. “I really hope to accomplish winning state, and I know we have it in us.”
