After shaking off a scheduling conflict the week prior, the Madera Coyotes girls soccer team controlled the first half in route to a 2-1 victory over the El Capitan-Merced Gauchos in a non-conference match at Memorial Stadium.
“It was up and down. I thought we played well in the middle of the first half,” Madera head coach Cameron Hill said. “I mean it’s the first game so they’re just getting used to it and getting back into the groove of things.”
Clarissa Gill and Jazmin Piñon were the goal scorers for Madera, but the best player on the pitch was Noemi Cabello.
“She was all over the place. I think when she got moved into the midfield our team just clicked after that,” Hill said.
Gill stepped up in the 17th minute with a piece of dizzying skill. Penelopi Leach provided the pass inside the opponent final third where Gill latched onto the ball. Gill spun around her defender before sending her shot crashing into the net.
Madera had another opportunity in the 20th minute after Mia Perez-Macias entered the pitch as a substitute. She instantly made an impact chasing down an errant pass down the right wing before whipping in a dangerous ball that nearly found its way into the net.
El Capitan answered the Coyotes with a penalty kick in the 21st minute. The Gauchos tied the game at one but couldn’t muster much after.
Madera nearly answered the Gauchos in the 29th minute after Itzel Rodriguez found Cabello down the pitch. Cabello found the ball and ripped a shot towards goal but couldn’t locate the target.
Rodriguez continued her passing display in the midfield with another nice pass to Piñon. She darted into the opponent penalty area and swung towards the net, but missed the ball.
Piñon rebounded and her second attempt flew into the back of the net for what would be the game-winning kick. Although humorous, Piñon got the job done nonetheless.
Madera closed the game out for their first win, but they still have some work to do on the training ground.
“I think it’s composure and getting more possession of the ball. We’re pretty good going forward when we just want to go, but at times we need to slow the tempo of the game down to connect and find passes. I think that’s something we can improve on.”