Falcons shut out Cougars, continue to roll

The Scotts Valley High School girls varsity soccer team easily handled San Lorenzo Valley High with a 5-0 win in Felton on Thursday, Jan. 30.
The Falcons came out quickly and put the Cougars down 2-0 within the first 10 minutes of the game. Senior captain Melinda Lane drilled in the first goal off a cross to the middle of the field by defender Marissa Sion. Four minutes later, senior captain Darby McFall took a corner kick and delivered the ball to Anna Payne, who headed it into the net from 15 yards out.
Scotts Valley continued to pressure the Cougars throughout the half. Freshman Serena Garcia and sophomore Maddie Hitzeman both contributed goals, putting the Falcons up 4-0.
In the second half the Falcons kept pressure on the Cougar’s defense and attempted several shots on goal. San Lorenzo Valley goalie, Natalie Gallagher, was active in the net and stopped all threatening shots in the second half, but one.
The Falcons made it 5-0 when the Falcons attached the Cougar’s 18 yard box, where sophomore Brittany Cartee beat Gallagher to the ball and sent a short pass the Audrey Liebenberg, who pounded the ball into the open net for the only goal of the half.
It was a strong showing for the Falcons who have noticed improvements as the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League schedule has progressed.
“We have grown as a team and individually,” said Lane. “We’ve really learned to work together.”
Scotts Valley is currently 5-0-2 in their SCCAL record, and 8-3-4 overall. The Falcons next host St. Francis High on Thursday, Feb. 6 after press time.
San Lorenzo Valley is 2-5 in the SCCAL and 7-6-1 overall.