Carondelet VS Monte Vista EBAL League Playoff Semi-Final

It was cold, wet and miserable for spectators on Thursday night at Carondelet Athletics Complex. But the girls playing put on a show in this big cross-town Public VS Private school rivalry game. Both schools have produced amazing players over the years. Currently Carondelet went into the game as big favorites as they won the DAL regular season which earned them the 1 seed in this new playoff format. As the 4 seed Monte Vista had to play earlier in the week where they earned a win against the #5 seed Cal High. Carondelet came away with a 4-1 win but that doesn't tell the whole story as I thought the game was more competitive then the score line suggested. This Carondelet team just knows how to win and should have all the confidence in the world headed into the Final against the #3 seed Amador on Saturday. Here are some standouts from the game.   Unfortunately I can not find Monte Vista's roster anywhere online which is very disappointing as there were some young ladies who played very well. We have to be better from that program in the future.   #10 for Monte Vista was a classy striker. She has great tight foot work to create space. She scored an incredible goal in the dying moments of the first half with a powerful curling shot from the the right side of the D just outside the 18 yard box. Right before the shot she had great close control with a lot of other bodies in her direct line to goal. She then took a great touch and had some nice skill on the ball before she released her shot. She created chance after chance in the second half and if it wasn't for the Monte Vista Goalkeeper she may of had a hat trick.   #42 on Monte Vista was number 10's strike partner and could hold the ball up really well as a post up forward. She was really unlucky not to score and probably deserved a goal. I don't know who she is but I would not be surprised if I saw her on a college roster in the near future.    Kenion tidied up everything defensively for the Cougars. Anytime a ball was played in behind I don't think she got out run once. The center back has exceptional pace and is steady in possession.     Big game from Roder in this one. She compliments her other center back Kenion really well. She's fearless when making tackles and winning headers. She likes to dribble into midfield and facilitate when given space as well. This Carondelet team is built on how they defend as a unit and Roder is a massive part of that.     After the first half it was 2-1 to the Cougars. Sagar came on at halftime and saved her team on a handful of occasions in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Monte Vista looked destined to score and Sagar made some amazing saves at point blank range to keep her team in the lead. She caused problems with her drop kicks for the opposition's defense as they got well past the half way line. A rare sight in high school soccer let alone by a freshmen.     Karson was excellent in defensive midfield for the Cougars. She got an assist on what ended up being the game winner off of another very well taken corner. She was calm and tidy in possession even in such poor weather conditions which is never easy for a midfielder. She has played almost every minute this season and her team will need her to continue her good play heading into the business end of this season.     Another great shift from the Cougar's Left Fullback. And another assist on a long throw for her. It's an impressively long throw for a sophomore. Not too many pros who can throw it as far. She's a great 1v1 defender and always seems to have enough energy to bomb forward to get involved in the attack.     The Idaho commit got herself on the scoresheet against the Mustangs with a nicely taken finish. She is the creative force that makes this offense tick. She penetrates lines and is really good on the dribble. Works his tail off for her team when pressing and closing gaps defensively as well. You can see why she is going to be playing Division 1 soccer in the fall.     She scored two good goals and helped her team to victory in the semi final on Thursday night. She is really good with her back to goal and was fearless when attacking the ball on set pieces. Her team would like some more of the same headed into the final tomorrow afternoon at Dougherty Valley.

It was cold, wet and miserable for spectators on Thursday night at Carondelet Athletics Complex. But the girls playing put on a show in this big cross-town Public VS Private school rivalry game. Both schools have produced amazing players over the years. Currently Carondelet went into the game as big favorites as they won the DAL regular season which earned them the 1 seed in this new playoff format. As the 4 seed Monte Vista had to play earlier in the week where they earned a win against the #5 seed Cal High. Carondelet came away with a 4-1 win but that doesn't tell the whole story as I thought the game was more competitive then the score line suggested. This Carondelet team just knows how to win and should have all the confidence in the world headed into the Final against the #3 seed Amador on Saturday. Here are some standouts from the game.