South Fork Girls’ Soccer Falls to 2-5
Small school Humboldt Del Norte Conference rival St. Bernard’s has effectively tailored its game to its very small pitch. The team moves the ball fast and directly, and is able to put the ball deep into the penalty box on every throw-in in the attacking half. South Fork could not keep up with the pace, and found themselves playing a little back on their heels.
The halftime score was 2-0 and the Cubs regrouped in the hopes of turning around the second half. However the Crusaders had other ideas and put away three more goals early in the second half, two of them on defensive breakdowns. They were also awarded a penalty kick on a questionable call in what was an extremely physical match.
South Fork did manage a few offensive pushes throughout the game and took 5 shots, 4 of them on breakaways, but could not convert. Steady efforts from junior stopper Daphne Hobbs and senior sweeper Raya Mahony anchored the defense, and senior Goalie Alex Tapia had 5 saves.
Sophomore winger Sophia Wallace Boyd dribbles away from pressure on Saturday in Fortuna [Photo by Suzanne Van Meter]
On Saturday the Lady Cubs traveled to Fortuna and lost 4-0. Fortuna also plays a strong direct style and scored two goals in each half, one on a penalty kick given after a trip in the box.
South Fork was without two starters due to injury, but managed a handful of attacks, with both strikers, sophomore Kylie Messenger and junior Olivia Baffert, putting pressure on the Fortuna keeper who had to make 4 good saves.
Tapia had 8 saves, and freshman goalie Paloma Avilez had an outstanding debut half, getting 14 saves in the period. Also playing well for the Cubs was sophomore fullback Michael Perricone and sophomore winger Sophie Wallace Boyd. Senior midfielders Noelia Alatorre and Victoria Van Meter continued their strong presence in the midfield, feeding the attack and hustling on defense throughout the match.
The Cubs will travel again this week. On Monday they will play at Mendocino where they hope to better their record against small schools, staying on track for the post-season. On Wednesday they will travel to Del Norte for a league match.
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“The team moves the ball fast and directly, and is able to put the ball deep into the penalty box on every throw-in in the attacking half. South Fork could not keep up with the pace, and found themselves playing a little back on their heels.”
Size of field has nothing to do with passing skills of players for ball control offense.