Coyotes girls fall to Sanger in soccer

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Madera’s Mia Roberts sends in a penalty kick in Friday’s loss to the Sanger Apaches. Roberts made the penalty kick and added another goal in a 5-2 loss in Memorial Stadium.

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The Madera Coyotes girls soccer team came out flat and the Sanger Apaches took full advantage to score three first half goals en route to a 5-2 victory in Memorial Stadium.

The Coyotes received a pair of goals from Mia Roberts with one coming off a penalty kick, but it wasn’t enough against the Apaches.

“It was a physical and mental battle for us at the start,” head coach Cynthia Moreno said. “We gave up three goals in the first half that could have been avoided.”

After falling behind 3-0 at the half, the Coyotes put two balls into the back of the net to provide some pressure, but the Apaches put the game away with two more goals.

“In the second half, our girls showed less fear and rose to the challenge,” Moreno said. “We missed key opportunities while Sanger capitalized on theirs. Sanger came out hungry and their energy demonstrated they wanted to win.”

Moreno said the loss showed the coaching staff and the players they need to work harder with the end of the season coming up and the upcoming postseason.

“Friday’s game helped us realize we’ve gotten way too comfortable and need to increase our overall intensity during games and practices,” she said. “This group has a lot of potential and I believe they will turn It around as we wind down this season.”