Girls 09/10 Schedule and Match Reports

[Jensers]

You can find the Girls 09/10 Schedule Here:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/scedresultg.htm

Stay Tuned to this thread for Match Reports!

[Jensers]

Royal 4 @ Granger 0
Friendly

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Welcome to another year of Lady Knight Soccer! We got the season off to a great start with a win against Granger. Jacky Mercado scored first, followed by a brace for Maria Garcia, and Sam Cera put in number 4 late in the second half. All in all a good showing for the Lady Knights and a great opportunity to get a look at all the girls against opposition.



Royal 0 vs. Goldendale 1
Friendly

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Goldendale made the long trip to Royal for this ugly match. Royal had a number of good chances, but Goldendale parked the bus in front of goal by packing bodies into their penalty area and moving as a mass down the center of the field. The only goal of the match came from a accidental ball that popped loose in Royal's area that was toe-poked into the back of the net by an opportunistic Goldendale player.



Royal 2 @ Mabton 1 (SO)
Friendly

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First half didnt have a whole lot in it as the 2 teams tried to get into a rhythm. 2nd half Mabton picked up a goal after some good pressure placed on the Royal defense. A cross followed by a poor clearance allowed a second cross to the far post that was passed into the net from inside the goal area.
Royal was able to answer back a few minutes from time on a well placed free kick from Marisol Lozono.
OT could not break the deadlock so it went to penalties for the decision, and that took 6 players from each squad before Royal claimed the victory with a 3-2 advantage.

[Jensers]

Royal 0 vs. Ki-Be 4
League Match

Match Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vskibe.htm
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First League Match.
The girls played well despite the score line. It was 0-0 at half and the girls were doing well to survive the Ki-Be attack. The few times they did get behind our back 4 they were unable to beat Stefhany who is proving to be a force in goal.

Second half held a few mistakes that put the result out of reach. An own goal, a PK given up do to an accidental hand ball in the penalty area, and a moment of indecision on a back pass, made it 3-0.

We made a change for the final 5 minutes and pushed everyone into the attack - resulting in the 4th goal.

Up next is a friendly @ Highland Thursday, and @ Warden Saturday for one of our key league match-ups.

[Jensers]

Royal 1 @ Highland 8
Friendly

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Playing in Highland is always tough because their squad has much more playing experience due to the fact that most of them play club soccer in Yakima. Against these types of teams we work to find small victories and make it a point to not hang our heads.

Because of their efforts, the girls were rewarded when they won a penalty in the final minute of play. Jacky Mercado stepped up, hit the back of the net, and we left with a feeling of victory even though we were never in the match.

[Jensers]

Royal 3 @ Warden 2
League Match

Sorry No Stats Link
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First off - this match was in Warden and we were short our stats people so no stats.

Second - this was a huge match for us because we must beat the teams that are like us to get into districts, and Warden is a team like us.

Third - the referees did not show up, so I had to ref. It was a fairly stressful situation being that I was unable to coach and so Coach K had to step up and take the reins, but he did fine and the girls pulled out the win so all is well.

Warden scored first from a free kick just outside the penalty area and a yard away from the goal line. The kicker sent a low and curling shot directly into the goal that took Stef buy surprise.

0-1

Royal tied it up about 10 minutes later through Jacky Mercado's Penalty Kick. The penalty was awarded due to a Warden player handling a ball on the goal line that was headed for the back of the net.

1-1

It is difficult for me to remember, but I believe that Royal scored next - once again as a result of a corner. Maria Garcia picked up a far post ball from Marisol Lozano and put in a low, rolling shot that found its way thru the mass of people in front of goal and to the far post.

2-1

Warden scored next from a cross that rebounded off the shoulder of one of the Warden forwards. There was very little in the deflection, but it wrong footed Stef to bring the score level.

2-2

The game winner was scored from a free kick at the top of the area. For the second time this season Marisol Lozano has stepped up and scored a late goal from a dead ball situation near the top of the area.

3-2

This match with Warden has always been a difficult one as it always seems to fall on a Saturday that is filled with distractions and conflicts. For the first time in 4 years I was able to get the full first team on the field against Warden and the girls pulled out the win.

[Jensers]

Royal 0 vs. LaSalle 9
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vsLaSalle.htm
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Not much to report - LaSalle is better than us. Other than a few minutes in the first half, the girls had good output and tried to make it difficult for them.

Naches away on Saturday.

[Jensers]

Royal 1 @ Naches 4
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/atnaches.htm
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We did not win the match, but the girls made a very good showing against Naches. It was 1-0 at the half and the defensive unit was putting in a shift shutting down the Naches attack.
Second half we gave up a goal to make it 2-0 and we made a number of player changes to get anyone off the field that was playing injured. Despite the changes the girls still continued to make it difficult for Naches, and even picked up a goal from a Maria Garcia goal assisted by a Marisol Lozano free kick.

Wahluke at home on Tuesday.

[Jensers]

Royal 1 vs. Wahluke 2
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vswahluke.htm
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All in all a good performance from the girls. I feel that we played an attractive brand of football, moved the ball well, and generally caused Wahluke problems. In the end it came down to one Wahluke player who had 2 moments of individual class. For the game winner she was able to out muscle 3 defenders and create enough space to pass it into the net.

The back 4 + Stef did a great job on her all night, and did well to contain her as much as they did. Macey also had another great game for us by single-handedly disrupting the other key Wahluke player by frustrating her and making it difficult for her to feed balls into Linda.

The girls worked very hard and I feel they deserved to take something away from the match because of their quality as a unit, so I feel the result was a little cruel to us. But all credit to Wahluke and the goal scoring threat their little player is for them.


Royal 2 @ Goldendale 0
League Match

Stats: (No Power in Goldendale)
Goals:
Sam Cera
Jacky Mercado
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I really dont like going to Goldendale. It is a horrible bus ride, the field is rock hard, dangerous, and half dead. The wind is always blowing, it is always cold, and most of the time it rains.

Terrible!

But - we picked up three points against an improving side, and we showed much improved play since we saw them for our first home match of the season. Goldendale have shown some improvement due to the fact that they have picked up a handful of athletic girls, and they are a very industrious team, but they lack team concept or a coherent style of play. We had a difficult time breaking them down and finishing the first time around, but this time things looked much better. First goal was scored by Sam Cera in the first half, and Jacky Mercado added a second from the Penalty Spot shortly after the break.

The back 4 + Stef continued to show discipline with moments of being very comfortable dealing with Goldendale's attempts to create confusion.

Granger at home Tuesday.

[Jensers]

Royal 6 vs. Granger 0
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vsgranger.htm
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We have been waiting for a big win at home and we finally got one against Granger, but it took a while to get going as the score was 1-0 at half. Half-time we got a few things sorted out and a quick goal to make it 2-0 broke Granger's spirit and the opportunities started piling up.

The rest of the week the girls have a break, and we see Mabton at home on Tuesday in a key match to decide position going into the district tournament.

[Jensers]

Royal 2 vs. Mabton 1
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vsmabton.htm

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A HUGE win for us and it too all 80 minutes to get it. Mabton caused us some problems first half, but could do little to create opportunities that were not shut down by the back line or Stef in the goal.

Mabton had one opportunity all match and that is how they got their one goal. The wet surface and some confusion let a ball play free across the front of goal.

Royal put a lot of pressure on the Mabton goal second half, but were unable to beat the solid Mabton Goalkeeper.

The pressure finally paid off when Mabton gave up a Penalty Kick with a hand ball in the Penalty Area. Jacky Mercado stepped up and put it away to make it 1-1.

The winning goal didnt come until the final moments of the match and once again Marisol Lozano was able to find the back of the net from a well placed free kick taken from the top of the Penalty Area.

This match was very important because it establishes home field advantage when we see each other again in the district tournament. It was a cat fight in the cold and the rain, but the girls were up for it and they never stopped pushing forward. Good Stuff.

[Jensers]

Royal 0 vs. Highland 7
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/vshighland.htm

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Not much to report here, we played them tough in the first half, but gave up some quick goals in the second so we changed things up and made the change to a more attacking system in an effort to pick up a goal. We had a handful of 1v1 opportunities with the Highland goalkeeper, but lacked the finishing touch.

At Cle Elum Monday followed by another away match with Connell on Tuesday.

[Jensers]

Royal 3 @ Cle Elum 2
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/atcleelum.htm
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This match turned out to be closer than it should have been, but a strong performance from Katrina picking up a deserved Hat Trick secured the win. Cle Elum was desperate for the win as it was their final home match and they had not seen a victory at home all season. They have good overall speed and pushed 8 and 9 players forward in a frantic attempt to score.

We scored twice to get the math started. The first from a corner that Trina headed home, and the second on a good through ball that Trina hammered over the head of the Cle Elum Goalkeeper.

Cle Elum then answered back from an attempted cross that caught Steph out. She made a recovery to save it, but it deflected off of her hands and bounced into the net.

Cle Elum tied it up a few minutes later when a missed clearance and a deflection dropped the ball in front of a Cle Elum player who placed a good low shot to the corner.

Late in the second half, Trina came to the rescue with a moment of individual brilliance - Picked up a ball on the left side of the penalty area, faked to cut to her right, played left, cut back inside, and beat the keeper far post from a tight angle. It was a goal I would be proud to score!



Royal 0 @ Connell 6
League Match

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/atconnell.htm
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We played Cle Elum Monday night, and Connell Tuesday. It was obvious that we were suffering from the short turnaround and Connell proved to be more than we could handle.
This was our final league match with us finishing 6th and Connell grabbing the top spot going into districts.




End of Regular Season - On to Districts!

From the beginning of the year it was our goal to beat the teams that were like us and to finish 6th or better. We were able to beat all of the teams besides Wahluke, and it took a late winner from their key player to beat us.
For the first time in 4 years the girls have made their way into the district tournament!

We are happy with how the season has progressed and look forward to now getting as far as we can in the district tournament. The first round of districts will be Saturday, and as of now it looks like we will have a tough match @ Naches followed by a home loser out match with Mabton Tuesday night.

[Jensers]

Royal 1 @ Naches 4
Districts - Round 1

Stats:
http://www.rhs.royal.wednet.edu/sports/soccer/rhsgirls/stats/2009/atnachesdistricts.htm
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We knew that this was going to be a tough match, but the girls did well to make it difficult for the Lady Rangers. Their hard work and organization required that Naches come up with some special efforts on goal to beat Stephanie.

The match was held up for about 20 minutes in the first half after one of our players and a Naches player suffered a forehead to forehead collision resulting in 6 stitches for the Naches player and 19 for ours. It was a scary moment, but both girls were brave to go into the challenge, and both continued to be brave during their trip to the hospital to get patched up.

The loss against Naches sets up a loser out match at home against Mabton Tuesday night at 6 PM. This is a huge match because the winner gets a chance to play Saturday in Royal for the final spot into the state tournament.

[Jensers]

Royal 1 vs. Mabton 0 (Shoot Out)
Districts Round 2

Stats:

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A Classic!
Two tough and industrious teams with athletic goal keepers make for a low scoring match, but a battle! Both teams had chances - Royal had the bulk of the play in the second half, but the Mabton keeper was very brave and aggressive off her line.

The OT periods had a few dangerous moments for both sides, but the deadlock remained and required Penalty Kicks to decide the winner.

The first 5 pairs of kickers finished deadlocked and required a 6th player to decide the match. Stephanie Guadarrama shed her gloves and hammered home the winner off the outstretched hands of the Mabton keeper for the victory!

Many of those in attendance joined in the celebration on the field, and for the first time since 2003 the girls made it into a district final and an opportunity to play for a spot in the state tournament.

We will play this Saturday at 1 PM against Kiona-Benton as part of the 3 game district finals in Royal.

Wahluke and Naches will play at 11 AM, followed by our match with Kiona-Benton at 1 PM, and finally Connell vs. Highland at 3 PM.

Should be a great day of soccer!

[Jensers]

Royal 0 - Ki-Be 1
District Tournament - Final Round

Stats:

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The season comes to a close.

It was a great day in Royal to have the district finals because we got a chance to watch all 3 games in one venue. The weather didnt exactly cooperate as it was blowing a stiff 25-30 MPH, but it made for an interesting display of tactics and defense as you got a half both with the wind in your favor, and it working against you.

For our match, we elected to take the wind in the second half so the first half was required some organized defending along with clock management to provide the fewest opportunities possible for the visiting Bears. We were able to hold on and keep the score 0-0 at half time, and following a change in tactics at the break, we were ready for the momentum to swing in our favor.

It took a while to get used to the wind at our backs, but we were creating chances and causing problems. Everything was going well and it felt like it was our match to win, but a missed clear and slow reaction to the mistake sprung Ki-Be's key player with only Stephanie to beat, and she slammed it into the back of the net to take the lead.

We pushed forward in an desperate attempt to get an equalizer and had a handful of great chances including a shot that skimmed off the crossbar, but the goal never came and Ki-Be claimed the #4 spot into the State Tournament.

With the mix of players we had this year that was an amazing season and they did well to meet all of the goals put in front of them. Just getting to the game with Ki-Be was an accomplishment, but putting in a performance like this - where the result could have gone either way is astonishing.

Great Job Girls! We are all Proud of you!