Girls soccer is staying strong through December, bouncing back from a big loss against Mater Dei on November 26. They have two wins, three ties, and only one loss since December 3. The team, overwhelmed with new players, is going strong and found its way to the championship round for the Aliso Cup Tournament.
As part of the Aliso Cup Tournament, the girls played two games on Saturday, December 14. Poly was able to come out with a 1-1 tie against Marina High School, and 1-0 victory over Royal High School. The girls first faced Marina, tying 1-1 after senior Hayley Brown netted an assisted goal from sophomore Hannah Deighton. Later, the girls went up against Royal High School. Junior Sydney Ellis scored the game’s only goal on fellow junior Sydney Rockett’s throw-in assist. With Ellis’ goal, the girls found their way to the championship round of the Aliso Cup President’s Bracket against the defending champions Upland High School.
The girls faced Upland on Monday, December 16 and came out with a 1-1 tie and the Aliso Cup President Championship title.
On December 12, Poly hosted Chino Hills in a 2-1 Aliso Cup loss. Neither Poly nor Chino Hills were able to score in the first half, but Lady Jackrabbits took the lead during the second half on an assisted goal by sophomore Elleni Bekele. Unfortunately, Chino Hills soon countered with two goals in the 46th and 61st minute, taking the game from Poly 2-1.
“It was a good game. They were a stronger team, but we could have communicated better and put more pressure on them,” said De La Funete.
On December 9, the girls got a thrilling 2-1 victory over Trabuco Hills, in their first game of the Aliso Cup Tournament. Poly was at a standstill in a 1-1 tie after sophomore Artrea William’s assisted goal in the 54th minute. As the game came to a close, Junior Selena Cuara was able to come through with an unassisted goal at the 78th minute, pushing Poly to a 2-1 victory.
On December 5, the girls visited Edison High School, but where not able to get past the Chargers, tying 0-0. Even though the girls were not able to score, they did not slack on their defense. Sophomore Tori Gonzales kept the defensive pressure throughout the game against the Chargers, with five shots on the goal. Both goalies, sophmore Kayala Rivas and senior Alexis De La Fuente, were able to stay strong with two saves each.
“It was a tough game,” said Gonzales, “We had to keep the pressure to secure at least the tie.”
In their first game of the month, the girls faced Downey High School on Tuesday, December 3. Poly started off shaky, with goalie Kayla Rivas giving up a goal in the first half. It seemed like a lost game for the Lady Jackrabbits, until junior Sydney Rockett scored on an assist by freshmen Sarah Pilster, tying the game 1-1 in the last three minutes.
“We have great speed, and a great attitude,” said head coach Teresa Collins. “We just need to get the new girls varsity ready.”
The girls had their first Moore League game against Cabrillo on December 18. They then played another Moore League game against Millikan the next day on December 19.
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