Coyote soccer gets non-conference win

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Madera’s Mia Roberts dribbles the ball to the end line during Friday’s victory over Kingsburg. Roberts scored all three goals, including the game-winner in the second half.

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A hat trick from Mia Roberts helped lift the Madera Coyotes girls soccer team to a 3-2 victory over the Kingsburg Vikings.

Roberts scored two goals in the first half and scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 68th minute.

After the Coyotes played Central-Fresno on Monday, they won’t have another game until January 5 when they host Clovis West.

“The girls are working hard,” head coach Cynthia Moreno said. “It’s a well-deserved time off. We need time to rest our bodies because we have played a lot of games. Our numbers are low so a lot of girls are getting playing time. We are trying to get girls in to stay away from injuries. It’s a well-earned break.”

The Coyotes played from behind right from the start. Kingsburg got the opening kick-off, took the ball in front and shot without any pressure on the ball. The ball went into the right corner for an 1-0 lead just 18 seconds into the match.

Less than five minutes later, the Coyotes tied the score. Atiana Piñon took the ball down the left side. She crossed the ball in front of the goal. Kingsburg got a touch on the ball, but it found Roberts’ foot. She knocked it into the back of the net to tie the score.

Two minutes later, the Coyotes had another chance. Layla Martinez got the ball in the middle and sent a pass to the right. Roberts went to the ball and her shot on goal was blocked.

The Coyotes managed to take the lead in the 23rd minute when Roberts too the ball down the left side and got in front of her defender. The Kingsburg goalkeeper came out and ran into Roberts and the referee awarded the Coyotes a penalty kick. Roberts hit a rocket inside the left post for a 2-1 lead.

The Vikings, again, scored early in the half, this time tying the score in the third minute from the second half.

However, Roberts gave Madera the go-ahead goal by hitting a rebound shot to the back of the net in the 28th minute for the 3-2 victory.

On Saturday, the Coyotes faced a tough St. Josephs team from Santa Maria in a soccer doubleheader with the boys game after.

The Coyote girls team lost, 2-0, in a match where Moreno said Madera had more chances.

“St. Josephs is a really good team,” she said. “They are very senior heavy. We had opportunities on goal. We were a little more dangerous. We couldn’t capitalize and they did.

“It was a good learning experience for our girls to adjust without key players. Who is willing to step up? It was good to see some girls step up. Looking forward, it’s good to see the potential.”