A funny thing happened on the way to the much-anticipated girl’s
soccer match between Analy and El Mo. The referees didn’t show
up.
The Oct. 1 scheduling snafu forced the postponement of the game,
prompting coaches to re-set the match for Oct. 29 at El Molino
(game time TBA).
Two nights earlier, the Lady Tigers suffered perhaps their most
frustrating loss of the season, dropping a bitterly fought, 3-1
overtime decision to visiting Sonoma.
“We played very hard and were in this one throughout,” said
Tiger coach Joseph Heil. “Both teams had significant injuries and
illnesses, but we need to learn to step up our game and play with
more composure and precision in order to turn some of these close
losses into wins.”
The Tigers drew first blood on a goal from midfielder Deanna
Molkenbuhr to grab a brief 1-0 lead. Sonoma evened the score
moments later, converting a loose ball in front of the net after a
corner kick. The teams battled through an intensely played second
period and the game moved to overtime knotted at 1-1.
The Dragons got the upper hand in the first extra frame,
converting a penalty kick to take a 2-1 lead. The Tigers drew even
early in the second overtime period, as Molkenbuhr nailed a great
shot from 30 yards out for a 2-2 tie. The Dragons got the game
winner on a fluke play when a deflection took a bad hop over Analy
goalie Keaton Wheeler. Sonoma would hang on for an eventual, 3-2
victory.
The Tigers (6-5, 1-4) will resume league action today (Thursday,
Oct. 8) at Casa Grande and come home to host Windsor next Tuesday,
Oct. 13 (5/7 p.m.). The Lions (3-5, 1-4) visit Petaluma on Oct. 8
(5/7 p.m.) and host Casa Grande on Oct. 13 (4/5:30 p.m.).
