Marauders earn a draw
Madrigal scores two for MHS
If Tuesday’s night 2-2 tie with Lemoore was any indication of how the Monache High School girls soccer team’s season is going to go, MHS head coach Tino Rodriguez thinks it’s going to be another strong one.
Last season’ the team finished second in the East Yosemite League despite suffering numerous injuries during EYL play. The Marauders (0-4-2) graduated nine seniors and have 10 underclassmen on the team. Monache has yet to win their first game, but the Rodriguez is seeing a lot of improvement from the team.
“I’m hoping this year we’re going to continue to improve,” Rodriguez said. “And if it’s evident from tonight, it’s going to be better.”
One major player the Marauders return is senior Jessica Madrigal. A reliable scorer for Monache last season, Madrigal scored both of the Marauders’ goals in the first half. Her first goal was from the right side of the field in the 14th minute after taking a pass from junior Rachel Clement and sending the ball into the far left corner of the goal.
Monache controlled the ball for much of the first half, dominating the ball on throw-ins and free kicks with Madrigal heading the ball out on the frees and senior Haylee Castaneda stepping between Lemoore (9-3-1) players on the throw-ins.
The Tigers scored in the 27th minute after a corner kick blocked by Monache goalkeeper Briley German was kicked in by Lemoore’s Kalijah Sanders to tie the game.
Five minutes later, the Marauders regained the lead with a shot from Madrigal from about 15 yards out with an assist from senior Amaya Rios. Despite being the team’s go-to scorer, it was only Madrigal’s fourth goal of the season.
“I think the first half we were more aggressive,” Rodriguez said. “The second half, to be honest with you, we kind of let up. With
young players, the foul committing — actually [Lemoore] had three good chances with the free kicks in dangerous areas.”
In the 12th minute of the second half, Lemoore took advantage of one those free kicks and a cross from the Tigers’ Mia Sanchez bounced off Briley’s hand and was booted in by Lemoore’s Litzy Pimentel.
“Think we could’ve done better in some spots, but hey, that’s the learning curve that we have to face because of a young team,” Rodriguez
said. “But I’m pleased with my team.”
The rebuilding process is rough process, but already Rodriguez is seeing improvement with better communication from his team against the Tigers and young players coming into their own.
“Alexandria Rivas, she actually played my center-mid and she’s just a freshman and she did an awesome job,” Rodriguez said.
Monache is off until Jan. 3 when they host Reedley in a non-league game at 5:30 p.m.