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Oct. 30, 2004

Hollister United 4, Morgan Hill Panthers 2

Before I begin this article and while I have your attention; I would like to say as a parent the pride I felt in watching this game that the girls played is overwhelming and each one of them deserves a great big hug. 

OK reporter hat back on: 

The Hollister United girls traveled to meet the Morgan Hill Panthers for Saturday’s game.  The weather was sunny and windy, and there was a certain distinctive smell in the air that can only be only associated with good ol’ country living.

This is going to be a game with a twist, but I will save that for last. 

The team captains were Chace Miguel and Kiley Fontaine.  Hollister lost the coin toss so they got to choose the side of the field, while the Panther’s got the kickoff.

The United girls dominated the game from the kickoff.  Shortly into the game, Alexandria Reckas was able to get in front of the other team’s defenders and blast down the field to make Hollister’s first score.  After this score the girls were pumped up and ready to taste the goal again.    The Panthers fought hard to try and get the ball back down on their side, but were stymied by the pressure from Hollister.  Kylie Garcia getting control of the ball and taking it down field got stopped up by the Panthers’ defense, with quick thinking Kylie passed the ball to Alexandria who shot making the second score of the game.  The goal keeper for the first half, Kristen Callanta was able to have a shutout, but because the defensive players Chace Miguel, Alexandria Osborn, and Deanna Rodrigues were playing so strongly, she saw limited action. 

With the half time whistle blowing, the girls came off the field with great excitement and momentum.  Because of this momentum, the team’s coaches made the decision to mix things up a bit. Coach Adolfo said, “We came and did what we needed to do and score first.  This puts the other team having to play catch up.”

 The second half began and the Panthers made a high kick that flew over everyone and into the goal.  Although the changes meant the girls were playing different positions then the first half, Hollister did not allow this score to interfere with their momentum.  Hollister fought to get the ball back down the field.  Deanna Rodrigues was moved from defense to offense for the second half, and it showed to be a wise decision.  Deanna was able to get the ball down the field, and get past the Panther’s goal keeper for the third Hollister score of the game.

 The Panthers decided to turn up the heat and were able to score again.  Hollister again shook off the score and went back to their game.  The ball went back and forth across the field; there was a lot of fighting for control of the game.  Deanna Rodrigues once again was able to get the ball on a break away up the left side of the field, and out run the Panther defense to make Hollister’s forth score for the game (top).

Even with the score being 4-2, Hollister although feeling tired never let up.  All the girls had game, Brianna Remero, Patty Laguna, Hannah Press, and Alexandria Smallwood all played their positions well.  Kylie Garcia at the end of the game was driving the ball down the field, and almost had a fifth goal of the game if  the referee had not blown the whistle just seconds before the ball went into the goal.

OK now for the ending you have all been waiting for:

Because there was no official referee for the game, the game was Hollister’s by forfeit.  Despite the coaches knowing this, both sides decided to withhold this information from the girls and let them play a real game.  The girls earned this win, and that feels much better then winning on technicalities.

I hope to watch another enjoyable game as we travel to Cupertino to face the De Anza Force 95’.  This will be the second time facing this team and first for this season.  De Anza Force 95’ is currently ranked #4 and are 5-2-0.  I hope see the girls as focused as in last week’s game.