Eagles extend win streak to four games

By JOE LANGSTAFF The Daily Journal

Updated: 09/17/2009 08:28:06 AM PDT

This past weekend the Mendocino College women's soccer teams hosted a tournament at Mendocino College. The Eagles played two games, one on Saturday vs. Shasta College, and one on Sunday, vs. College of the Redwoods. Mendocino won both games, defeating the Shasta College 3-0 and College of the Redwoods 6-1.

In the game with Shasta College, the Eagles got a first-half goal by Julie Jackson (Lakeport) with an assist from Viri DeLoera (St. Helena). In the second half the Eagles put up two more goals, the first by DeLoera with an assist from Ashley Smith (Sebastopol). Smith later scored off an assist from Lauren Moses (Redwood Valley). This victory was the fourth shutout in a row from Mendocino. Shasta did manage some shots on goal, but goalkeeper Candy Diener (Lakeport) had seven saves. The Eagles staff felt that this was the best game that the team had played to date, noting that the players connected on passes and maintained possession for a huge majority ofÝthe game.

On Sunday, the game with Redwoods was a bit more one-sided in the Eagles favor. The Eagles scored four goals in a span of just over 11 minutes in the first half, the first coming with a little over 32 minutes left on the clock and the fourth with just over 21 minutes. Smith scored three of the goals with assists from Taylor Daly (Ukiah), DeLoera, and Julie Jackson. Jackson added a goal herself with an assist from Smith.

In the second half, Smith scored her fourth goal of the game, with an assist from DeLoera. The last goal was one that College of the Redwoods scored on themselves, when a Redwoods player accidently knocked the ball into her team's goal (own goal). College of the Redwoods scored one goal on Mendocino in the second half off a beautiful free kick in front of the goal out beyond the box.

Again, Mendocino played beautifully with all members of the huge Eagles squad getting a chance to get on the field. No matter which players were on the field for the Eagles, they dominated play with most of the action taking place on Redwoods' half of the field.

The coaching staff cited exceptional play from Nayeli Caldera (Ukiah) in midfield and Rose Britton (Covelo) on defense. The Mendocino defense held so strong that goalkeeper Diener only needed to make one save (and the one goal that they scored). Moses, Megan Daly (Ukiah), Tasha Herrera (Lakeport), SaraÝHernandez (Cloverdale), Britton, Daisy Medina (Kelseyville) and Lezlie Elmer (Potter Valley) were all in at the back at some point in the game and contributed toÝthe outstanding defense. Showing great composure and ability to find playersÝon the field was Brittany Castaneda (Willits).

Head Coach Duncan McMartin, in summing up his team's play in the two games said, "The team played very well this weekend. It seemed we took a step forward in our game, including movement off the ball and the ability to find each other. Our passing game looked excellent at times, and we were able to finish in front of goal. Our defending continues to be fantastic. All of the backline and goalkeeper have done a tremendous job. I think we have come a long way as a team over the past four weeks. We are looking to improve and build upon what we have achieved."

The two wins upped the Eagles record to 5-1. Their next game is against Sacramento City College on Friday, in Sacramento. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Eagles will then return home starting next Tuesday with a game against College of Marin at 3:00 p.m., followed with a game on Friday at 4:00 p.m. with College of Sequoias and a 1:30 p.m. game on Tuesday, September 29 with Fresno College.

Eagles play home opener today at 4 p.m. vs. Canada College

Eagles get third shutout in row with 2-0 win over Canada

Updated: 09/11/2009 08:17:11 AM PDT

On Wednesday the Mendocino College Women's Soccer Team hosted the Canada College Colts of Redwood City, member of the Coast Conference. This was the first home game for the Eagles, who came into the game with a 2-1 record, having played Skyline College in San Francisco and College of the Redwoods and Lassen College in Eureka. In those three games the Eagles had given up only one goal, that to Skyline in a 1-0 loss. Against College of the Redwoods and Lassen, the Eagles came away with back-to-back 7-0 wins. The Eagles continued that string with a 2-0 win over Canada on Wednesday.

Mendocino came out strong in the first half, forcing most of the action on Colts' half of the field. The Colts defended fairly well, not allowing very many shots on goal. However, early in the half, sophomore forward Julie Jackson (Lakeport) got open for a shot just outside the left corner of the penalty box. Her arching shot sailed above the goalkeeper, who attempted to knock it down, but the ball crossed between the posts as she gathered it in with a dive, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Later in the half the Eagles attempted a few more shots on goal, but most were off the mark or taken in by the Colts goalkeeper. Late in the half the Colts began working the ball up field, in one case taking a shot on goal which was defended by Eagles'keeper sophomore co-captain Candy Diener (Lakeport). There was no more scoring in the first half, so Mendocino had to be content with their 1-0 lead.

In the second half, the defensive battle continued, with most touches of the ball being quickly challenged by both sides. Much of the play went back and forth in the middle third of the field. Canada aggressively pushed the ball into Mendocino territory several times, attempting some shots on goal, few of which were without close checking by the Eagles. Diener collected two more saves in the half, but often her teammates did a good job defending and limiting shots.

Midway through the half the Eagles scored their second goal when, at the 23-minute mark, sophomore midfielder and co-captain Taylor Daly (Ukiah) sent a ball into the upper left corner of the goal, with an assist from sophomore midfielder and co-captain Brittany Castaneda. That would provide the eventual margin of victory as the Eagles never allowed the Colts to score a goal in the game, making for the Eaglesí third shutout in a row.

The coaching staff noted exceptional play through the midfield, with ball movement and distribution from freshman midfielder Viri DeLoera (St. Helena). Also noted was freshman forward Ashley Smith for exceptional offensive movement and attacking.

Though the team did win the game and did so with another shutout, Head Coach McMartin wasnít totally pleased with his team's performance, saying "We played well in a few patches, but overall I wasn't particularly happy with how we played. I do think we have the potential to play much better than that."

The Eagles will get the opportunity show that they can play better when they continue their home stand with games at Mendocino College tomorrow and Sunday. Saturday's game is 2 p.m., vs. Shasta College. Sunday's game is at 1:30 p.m., vs. College of the Redwoods.

Created: April 02, 2007 @ 02:02 PM
Last Modified: September 23, 2009 @ 08:54 AM