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Cougars shut out St. Francis for first league win
The San Lorenzo Valley High School varsity girls soccer team had been winless in league play heading into the home match-up against the Saint Francis Sharks.
Aside from a lone goal against cross town rival Scotts Valley, the team had been shut out by all of their opponents in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League midway through the season. On Jan. 24 the Cougars ended the losing streak and cast a shutout of their own, beating the winless Sharks 2-0 to improve to 1-4 in the SCCAL.
The Cougars battled through the first half with no score but stifled the St. Francis sputtering attack.
The patience paid off in the second half as freshman forward Aileigh Boynton erupted late in the second period with two late goals and seal the victory.
“I am so glad that they decided to get aggressive and play in the second half,” said SLV Head Coach Heidi Romswinkle-Guise. “When we were on the attack, that really limited their ability to score and helped us seal up a much needed win.”
St. Francis fell to 0-6 in SCCAL play this season.
The win boosted the team’s morale as they head into the second half of the season.
SLV will play next at 3:30 p.m. at home against cross town rival Scotts Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Falcons remain undefeated in SCCAL play
Jessica Romeo took a pass from teammate Ranae Maloney in the 30th minute of the second half and fired a shot past the Soquel Knights goalie into the top right corner of the net.
It proved to be the lone goal in an otherwise defensive standoff between two of the top teams in the SCCAL.
The Falcons staunch defense proved once again to be the highlight of the game as they held the Knights scoreless for their eighth shutout of the season. Defensive Captain Jordin Carlson led the Falcons as they stopped seven of Soquel’s shots on goal.
“(Jordin) was spectacular and has been all season,” said all-league goal keeper Emily Johnson. “I feel so comforted in the goal there knowing that she has my back.”
The Falcons improve to 5-0-1 in league play and 8-3-3 overall. The team cruised through the first half of the season unbeaten as they try to defend their SCCAL title. The Knights are 6-3-1 overall and currently 2-3-1 in league.
“We still have to worry about everyone in this league,” Carlson said. “Aptos, Soquel, really anyone can step up at any time and give us a run for the money.”
The Falcons highly touted defense has allowed just seven goals on the season, and appears to be gaining steam heading into the second half of the league schedule.
“The soccer gods were smiling on us tonight,” said Assistant Coach Mike Ross. “We got really crisp in that second half and made the shot when we needed it.”
The Falcons play next at 3:30 p.m. against cross town rival at San Lorenzo Valley on Tuesday Jan. 31.
