By Jessica SHUMATE, intern

To kick off their Pacific League season, the CVHS Falcons girls’ soccer club defeated Pasadena with a final score of 6-1 on Tuesday. After an unfortunate game against Saugus last week, CV bounced back with freshman Brianna McReynolds scoring the majority of the goals. Remembering that not attacking the ball was their main problem last week, the Falcons rebounded on Tuesday with an intensity that earned them the win.

At the end of the first half, the score was tied 1-1. Junior Sierra Lindman Marshall had scored the first goal of the game after she rebounded a kick tipped off the goalkeeper’s hands. The Bulldogs fought back and scored after a diving block by CV’s goalie, Sydney Schoeller, left the goal open just long enough to tie the game.

At the half, Coach Tyraysha Peterson encouraged her players to attack the ball to avoid the same result as last week’s game.

“We talked about specific players and how we needed to mark them,” said senior team captain Rachel Bird of the half time pep talk. “It was mainly about finishing and testing their keeper.”

Coming back onto the field, the CV girls (1-1 overall) executed their coaches’ orders, scoring five more times in the second half. Freshman McReynolds stood out, debuting with three goals to start off her high school career. Junior Hannah Weingarten and senior Kaitlyn Giddens each scored one to complete the game.

The Falcons play Pasadena again on Friday but this time on the Bulldogs’ turf. Although Tuesday’s game resulted in a victory, CV faces one specific obstacle for the next match.

“It’s a smaller field and we were already crowded [at home],” said McReynolds. “If we work on spreading out and using our space wisely then I feel like we can get the same outcome.”

Peterson agreed that playing on Pasadena’s home field could result in a “different ball game,” but stressed to her players that finishing their shots is the key to a successful season. With that in mind, the team will continue to focus on that in preparation for Friday in hopes that they can come up with another victory.

Game Report for Dec. 1

The girls’ soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss against Saugus. Having lost to Saugus last year, they fought for the upper hand on CV’s newly renovated field. After a courtesy kick gone wrong, Saugus’ Dalie Young scored the first goal of the game followed by Kiara Lau scoring the second. Falcons’ senior team captain Natalia Victoria felt there was room for improvement.

“At the beginning of each half we started off strong but as time passed we stopped going to the ball as much. That’s where our problem was,” she said.

After several goals being called back for hitting the post before going into the net, Saugus took the victory.

Despite the loss, since it was the Falcons’ first game of the year, they left the field with optimism for the future. Head coach Tyraysha Peterson called this year’s team a “well-seasoned group,” believing that they are a rich combination of girls who could lead the team to success. This season the Falcons’ roster consists of two four-year varsity seniors, several three-year varsity players along with a select few freshmen.

“We’ve got the veterans and the young energy of the new players so we’re excited to see what’s coming up,” said Peterson. The captains agreed that even with such a wide range of ages, the teamed jelled on the field very well. Senior team captain Lauren Cota gave props to her teammates.

“I think it was a really good showing. We played a lot faster than we usually do but we practiced that and I’m proud of us for translating what we practiced into the game,” she said.

The girls know that their biggest competitor is, like every year, Arcadia. They have discussed Arcadia’s strengths and will strive to stop the Apaches from repeating a perfect season. Until that time they will focus on strengthening their midfield and perform with more fluidity.

  Jessica Shumate