The Falcons entered the game sitting in first place after the first half of the SCCAL season. The lady Falcons have been recognized by the Santa Cruz Sentinel Power Poll Rankings as being ranked #1 in the Santa Cruz County. MaxPreps have the Falcons ranked #15 in the Central Coast Section behind quite a few powerhouse Christian and large school soccer teams.

The Falcons have posted some good statistics this season. Our leading goal scorer is junior captain Madison Black with 8 goals. Our leading player in assists is senior Taylor Rohde with 5 assists. Our leading shot takers is Madison Black with 25 shots on goal while senior Sonja Gustafsson is not far behind with 22 shots on goal. Our goalkeeper, junior captain Emily Johnson has an impressive 8 shutouts in 14 games. Emily has played 1100 minutes, allowed 7 goals and has an impressive .509 Goals Allowed Average.

The Falcons went into the game knowing the Sharks had battled them toe to toe in our last contest. The Falcons were not going to underestimate the Sharks and wanted to give a 110% effort from the start of the game. The game started with the Falcons controlling the ball on our half of the field. The Sharks players played with heart and tenacity causing several errant and missed passes. In the 16th minute of play senior outside midfielder Ranae Maloney broke down the right sidelines with the ball and crossed the ball to the front of the net. Senior Sonja Gustafsson took the pass, settled the ball and fired a 20 yard shot over the goalkeeper and into the Sharks goal. The Falcons went back to work making passes to feet and controlling the ball. In the 30th minute junior Rachel DuBridge took control of the ball in the middle of the field and led a pass to senior captain Emily Payne down the left sidelines. Emily raced for the ball as the Sharks goalkeeper tried to make a play and converge on the rolling ball. Emily was able to beat her to the ball and sent a 35 yard pass by the sliding goalkeeper and into the empty Sharks net for our second goal. The Falcons briefly celebrated and went back to staying focused and not letting up on the gas pedal. It was in the 39th minute when our Falcons received a corner kick on the right side of the Sharks goal. Senior captain Jordin Carlson took the kick and delivered a well placed pass to the front of the Sharks goal. Senior Jessica Romeo raced down the left side to the far post where she took the bouncing pass and cleanly struck the ball into the back of the Sharks net for our third goal of the game. The half soon ended with the Falcons having 14 shots on the Sharks goal while the Sharks had 1 shot on goal. The half time score was, Falcons 3 to the Sharks 0.

The second half started with both teams being stingy on defense. The Falcons managed to build an attack in the 42nd minute when senior Ranae Maloney settled a pass on the right wing and sent a pass into senior Sonja Gustafsson. Sonja took the pass and neatly sent the ball into the Sharks goal for our fourth score of the game. The game continued with several Falcon players playing different positions. The Falcons managed to control the ball and build an attack but the Sharks defense was able to keep us from scoring. The second half ended with the Falcons putting 6 more shots on goal while the Sharks were unable to put a shot on goal. The game ended being, Falcons 4 to the Sharks 0.

The Falcon forwards had a very good game putting shots on frame and pressuring the Sharks defense. The forwards were led by senior Sonja Gustafsson, senior Taylor Rohde, sophomore Darby McFall, junior Jessie DuBridge and junior Kyla Miller.

Our Falcon midfielders had another great game controlling the middle of the field while winning the battles in the air and on the ground. Inside midfielders were senior captain Emily Payne, sophomore Lena Gustafsson, senior Shanan McFall and junior Rachel DuBridge. Our outside midfielders were senior Jessica Romeo, senior Ranae Maloney and senior Kathryn Balch.

Our defense once again led the way posting our 9th shutout of the season. We have also had 6 shutouts in 7 games this season in the SCCAL. The defense was solid in every perspective and held the Sharks to very few uncontested passes or clear shots on our goal. The defense was played by senior captain Jordin Carlson, senior captain Kalynn Morano, junior Kacey Lilly and sophomore Megan Keating.

Our goalkeeping was once again superb. Junior captain Emily Johnson saved one beautiful Sharks shot on goal while playing the first 40 minutes. Sophomore Claire Covert went in the second 40 minutes and did a very good job.

I want to thank the lady Sharks for the game they played and their effort. I applaud them for being class athletes and good soccer players.

I want to recognize the exceptional play this week of senior outside midfielder Jessica Romeo for having the winning goal in our Soquel game and a goal against the Sharks. Also having a great week was senior sweeper Jordin Carlson, senior outside midfielder Ranae Maloney and senior forward Sonja Gustafsson.

Our SCCAL record now stands at 6 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. Our 2011-12 season record is posted at 9 wins, 3 losses and 3 ties. Our next game will be on Tuesday, January 31st, 3:30 PM against the San Lorenzo Valley (SLV) Cougars at SLV High School in Felton.