We went into the game knowing we had to win to take the SCCAL Championship. The lady Pirates came out and set a tone of being fast, first to the ball and keeping possession. The Pirates were winning most 50/50 balls and had only 4 shots on goal. In the 26th minute Pirates Erin Woods was left alone at the top of the box from approximately 30 yards out. Woods sent a rocket shot into the top right of the goal for a score. Our Falcons kept the game close by playing good defense. Our Falcons had 3 shots on goal and the halftime score was, Pirates 1 to Falcons 0.

At halftime we spoke about increasing our intensity and winning the balls in the air and on the ground. Our Falcons bounced back the second half and played like warriors. We were dominating in the air and on the ground. In the 56th minute we made yet another assault on the Pirate defense and their goalkeeper. A pass was sent into the box and soph. Audrey Liebenberg shot and hit the post. The ball bounced up and was brought down by fresh. Serena Garcia who sent a short pass to the feet of soph. Brittany Cartee. Brittany sent a shot past the diving Pirate goalkeeper who got a hand on it but the ball went in the net for a tie score. Our Falcons hustled and made several more runs and assaults on the Pirates defense. The Pirate goalkeeper made at least 3 athletic good saves to keep the ball out of her net. The second half had our Falcons with 6 shots on goal while the Pirates had 3. The final score was, Falcons 1 to the Pirates 1.

Our Falcons weathered the storm in the first half while not playing well and we held the Pirates to just 1 score. The second half was very different and we were aggressive and relentless with our attacks. Our goalkeeper was senior captain Claire Covert who had 6 saves. Our inside defenders were senior captain Darby McFall and soph. Desiree Rakela. Our outside defenders were sophomores Marissa Sion and Maddie Hitzeman. Our center midfielders were senior captain Melinda Lane, soph. Brittany Cartee and fresh. Serena Garcia. Our outside midfielders were junior Taylor Raymond, soph. Allie Carl and fresh. Mackenzie Wessell. Our forwards were freshmen Marcella Margiotta & Kaylee Craft and sophomores Audrey Liebenberg & Samantha Sion. Our defensive players; Darby, Desi, Maddie and Claire played very well. Melinda and Taylor should also be recognized for their good play. “Players of the Game” go to Marissa and Brittany. Marissa did exceptionally well against a very fast Pirate player and shut her completely down the entire game. Brittany was once again a strong force in the middle both offensively & defensively while dominating in the air and on the ground.

I want to thank the Pirates for a good game. Our season record now stands at 11 wins, 4 losses & 5 ties. Our final SCCAL record is 8 wins, 1 loss & 3 ties. We finish the SCCAL in second place behind the Aptos Mariners. We fought hard and have received an automatic berth in the CCS Playoffs. The Playoff Seeding Meeting will be held on Sat. Feb 22nd. That will determine where we will be seeded and when we’ll play. Congrats to our lady Falcons for giving their all and never giving up. Our young team has suffered adversity with injuries but we continue to carry on and fight, we are winners in every way.