Anzar High girls soccer coach Jesse Martinez is almost there
with his young band of Hawks.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA – Anzar High girls soccer coach Jesse Martinez is almost there with his young band of Hawks.
Anzar put a scare into Carmel in Wednesday’s Mission Trail Athletic League match – so much so that Padres head coach Rob Kendall had to put a couple of his front line players back in the match after the Hawks closed to within a goal with 16 minutes to play.
Seconds after Anzar nearly tied the match, Carmel put to rest all Hawks aspirations for an upset with an insurance goal in the 75th to win 4-2. The margin was much better than the Hawks’ first meeting with the Padres Dec. 4 when Carmel prevailed 7-1.
“We had seven freshmen out on the field at one point in the match,” said Martinez. “We’re improving every game. These girls never give up.”
The Padres (6-5-1, 6-4) dominated the first half, outshooting the Hawks 12-2. Carmel scored in the sixth minute when striker Megan Strutner ripped one on the ground past Hawks’ sophomore goalie Lesley Densmore.
The goal came after Anzar freshman Sarah Wisotsky made two breaks down the right flank and executed two picture-perfect crosses in front of the Padres’ goal. But no Hawks player was able to put a foot on the ball.
Wisotsky, who played forward in the first half and goalie in the second half, impressed Carmel coach Rob Kendall.
“She’s an outstanding player,” said Kendall. “She’s very skilled.”
Kendall was also impressed with both Hawks goals. In fact, it was Wisotsky who was a catalyst on the first Hawks goal when she passed to teammate Carmen Morales. Morales took the ball about 40 yards out, dribbled around the final defender and booted in a shot over the head of Padres goalie Katie Maxwell-Reed, who got her hands on the ball, but that was all.
Two minutes later, though, the talented Strutner repeated the deed as she scored on a great shot, right-footing one in while falling to the ground.
The Padres continued their first half domination on a goal from Hillary Beckett, who lofted a shot over Densmore in approximately the 35th minute.
“We just play for fun,” said Kendall.
It was the Hawks (3-7-1, 3-7) who had some fun in the second half as the Padres’ barrage lightened up. Wisotsky made an early dive on the ground to prevent trouble from Strutner early in the second 40, then the Hawks held their own for the next 25 minutes.
In minute 65, Rachel Martinez let fly on a direct kick from 30 yards out. The ball curved into the net and over the head of Padres reserve goalie Halle Heath and the Hawks were suddenly down just 3-2.
Anzar nearly tied it when Morales fed junior Crystal Dubois, who was alone against Heath on the left side. Dubois’ shot was right at Heath, who bobbled the ball momentarily, but regrouped to foil any Hawks goal.
The suspense ended when Chelsea “Cash Money” Campbell put the dagger in the Hawks’ heart with five minutes left when she beat an oncoming Wisotsky.
The Hawks are at first place Santa Catalina on Friday.
Hawk shots: Anzar played without striker Teryn Stone and defender Corina Forson, who were on a school excursion. – Carmel outshot the Hawks 20-6 for the match. – Densmore was credited with four saves, while Wisotsky had five. – The Hawks return home next Tuesday for a match with Gonzales.
