Without two seniors, who were nursing injuries, the Anzar girls soccer team continued its successful season Tuesday, as the squad battles for a spot in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Trinity Christian was a statement win for the Hawks, who dominated from the first whistle to the 80th minute. The Hawks poured 31 shots at the net, and never allowed the Warriors to gain any offensive momentum.
The victory improves the Hawks’ league record to 4-2, as they continue to try and chase down 6-0 Pacific Collegiate. The Pumas defeated Anzar 2-1 in their closest margin of victory earlier this year.
But to catch the Pumas, Anzar head coach Carlos Flores wants his team – with six sophomores and three freshmen – to continue getting better with each game.
“They know what they are capable of,” he said. “Most of them have been playing with me for a couple of years – a few of them three. They know already what it should be. When girls are missing, and they see that, team morale was down but these girls are going to show up with what we’ve got.”
Against Trinity, they did.
The Hawks overwhelmed the 1-6 Warriors.
In 80 minutes, Trinity Christian never recorded a shot, and passed midfield only five times, as Anzar controlled possession of the ball throughout.
Despite their play, Anzar had trouble finishing.
Freshman Ana Madrigal dominated the game’s opening minutes. Madrigal, rushing down the left side of the field, fired three open shots in the game’s first five minutes. But nothing went in.
“We had a lot of shots taken, but there is still certain work we need to do,” Flores said. “When you end up with that many shots but no goals it’s a little frustrating. We just have to … it shows you what you need to work on.”
In the first half, Anzar had 18 shots and six corner-kick opportunities. But they could never put the finishing touches on a goal.
The team was getting plenty of chances.
“We were getting the opportunities we wanted and working our way to get up to the forward spots and try to get any type of shots,” Flores said. “You want to see what you see in your mind, but sometimes they have a little lag and you don’t see it completely.”
In the second half, things changed slightly. Anzar again dominated possession of the ball, but this time they capitalized.
Ali Bautista and Monica Medina controlled the middle of the field, giving the Hawks more opportunities.
Medina gave the Hawks their best shot for a goal in the 45th minute. After a Trinity foul inside the keeper’s box, Medina’s penalty shot sailed right into the hands of the Trinity keeper.
But moments later, after a poor kick from the keeper, Anzar got the ball and finally scored its first goal. After Medina stole the ball from Trinity, Noemy Vazquez, who started the game as the Anzar goalie, received the ball near the post and quickly shot the ball in the upper-left corner. The shot sailed out of the reach of the Trinity keeper.
Anzar struck again 10 minutes later when Mali Gonzalez received a through-pass from Brianna Miltimore, and punched in the goal on a second-chance shot.
After nearly 45 minutes struggling to get the ball in the net, the Anzar floodgates finally opened.
“We were able to get the finishes at the end,” Flores said.
But to earn a sport in the playoffs, the team needs more consistency.
“I want to see us get more balance,” Flores said. “I want us to get some more goals in the first half and get the same amount in the second half.”
To earn a berth, though, the Hawks know they will need a little luck, but they can only control themselves, Flores said.
“We have a chance. The girls know the season isn’t over,” Flores said. “As long as they don’t give up on themselves that’s the main key. You just challenge them. You just give them different challenges. You don’t always go with the same thing. You try new things, and you eventually have them work on harder things.”
He continued: “If everything comes easy to them, they think the game will come easy as well. But that’s not true. As a coach, you have to have them show their best at practice to play well in a game.”
With four games left in the schedule, the season is coming down to its final weeks. The Hawks host Marina at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
