Our Falcons have had a good season so far registering a 2011-12 season record of 11 wins, 3 losses and 3 ties while leading the SCCAL with a record of 8 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. We've scored 29 goals this season while only allowing 7 goals. We've shutout our SCCAL opponents in 8 of our 9 games thus far. We currently hold the #1 ranking in the Santa Cruz Sentinel Power Poll Rankings. In the MaxPreps sports website we are ranked #150 nationally, #93 in California and #10 in the CCS. We went into this game with some injuries and high expectations. We knew we had to bring our "A" game against the powerhouse rival Cardinals. We sit at the top of the league with a bulls-eye on our teams back.

The game started with both teams coming out and trying to string passes together and build an attack. The game was evenly played with both teams making sporadic runs down the sidelines but were shut down by the defenses. Most of the play centered around the middle of the field with both teams challenging each other for control of the ball. In the 34th minute of the game a Cardinal forward stole a pass between two Falcon defenders. The Cardinal forward broke free down the right sidelines with a good sized lead over the Falcons. The Cardinal forward passed the ball to the center of the Falcon goal. The ball bounced through several players from both teams. Several Falcons tried to keep the ball from rolling and clear the ball up field. The Falcons were unable to connect with the ball. The ball was mistakenly tapped by a Falcon player which time the ball dribbled into the right side of the Falcon goal for a Cardinal score. The Falcons had to regroup and play out the rest of the half. The half ended with the Cardinals putting 2 shots on goal while the Falcons had 0 shots on goal. The half ended with the score being, Cardinals 1 to the Falcons 0.

At halftime we made a few adjustments and the players realized what they had to do to get back and win the game. The second half was again as thrilling as the first half. Both teams played with conviction to pull out a win. The Cardinal goalkeeper played an excellent game controlling and aggressively jumping on loose balls in their 18 yard box. The Cardinal defense played well as the Falcon offense ramped up the intensity and surge to score a goal in the second half. The Cardinals weathered the storm and kept the Falcons to 1 shot on goal while they managed 4 more shots on goal during this half. The game ended with the score being, Falcons 0 to the Cardinals 1.

We give credit and kudos to the Cardinals for playing a good game. Our Falcons will regroup, make some adjustments and get players ready for our next match. I thank the Cardinals for their competitive game and wish them luck in the rest of their season.

Our Falcon goalkeeping was played by junior captain Emily Johnson. Our defense was played by senior captain Jordin Carlson, senior captain Kalynn Morano, junior Kacey Lilly, sophomore Megan Keating and junior Rachel DuBridge. Our defense once again put forth a good effort and kept us in the game.

Our offense was challenged all game while giving a good effort. Our inside midfielders were junior captain Madison Black, sophomore Lena Gustafsson, senior Emily Payne and senior Shanan McFall. Our outside midfielders were senior Ranae Maloney, senior Jessica Romeo and senior Kathryn Balch. Our forwards were senior Sonja Gustafsson, senior Taylor Rohde and sophomore Darby McFall.

Our Falcon record now stands at 11 wins, 4 losses and 3 ties for the overall season and 8 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie in the SCCAL. Our next game will be on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, 5 PM at Cabrillo College against the Harbor Pirates.