After a red card and a second City College goal, mistakenly knocked in by a Taft College defender, the Vaqueros notched a hard fought 2-0 victory, Friday at La Playa Stadium.
Meghan Maiwald posted her third straight shutout, helping the Vaqs remain undefeated at home (7-0-2).
“Meghan’s been fantastic in goal,” said head coach John Sisterson. He added that this is her 11 shutout of the season.
Brieanna Wright, the Vaqueros’ leading scorer, scored the first goal in the 39th minute of play.
After Taft’s goalie collided with several other players, she was unable to get back in time to stop the shot Wright chipped over her head.
The second goal, which was credited to forward Shannon Lynott, was ultimately deflected off a Taft player.
“We just needed to get off our tying streak,” Wright said. She had several other shots that did not go in, and showed impressive speed throughout the game.
Defender Summer Deaton received a red card after getting her second yellow card in two consecutive games. The referee issued yellow cards to both Deaton and Taft’s Maria Arroyo after words and shoves were exchanged on the field in the 55th minute.
The red card left City College down a player for the remaining 35 minutes. It also meant Deaton was unable to play in Tuesday’s game against Oxnard.
“What they should’ve done is called it earlier,” Deaton said. “She was just pulling my jersey and fouling me from the back.”
Midfielder Michelle Welch also received a yellow card late in the game.
Both teams played aggressively. Sisterson said they expected a physical game after the last matchup against the Cougars, which resulted in a tie.
Just before the end of the first half, Deaton tripped up Tiana Kunioka, who left the field limping after falling on her face.
Sisterson described Taft as a “scrappy little team,” and added that soccer is a contact sport.
Taft’s defense picked up in the second half, when they managed to keep the ball at midfield much of the time. They also had several close chances at goal that were prevented by Maiwald sliding to cover up the ball.
The Vaqueros played great defense throughout the game, though they failed to connect on several close drives to the goal. “A little more composure, we could’ve scored more goals,” Sisterson said.
Midfielder Courtney Belsheim, forward Danna Wahlund, and defender Richelle Fien also played integral roles in the team’s victory.
“We need to work on connecting the balls to our forwards,” Deaton said. “Once we get that, I don’t think anyone can stop us.”