Monday afternoon’s girls soccer showdown between Community Christian and Sallie B. Howard at J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex only featured one goal, but it did not lack for fast-paced, intense play and excitement.
A second-half goal from Abril Ventura gave the Cyclones a 1-0 win in a game that featured several scoring chances on both sides, and big saves from CCS’ Claire Carter and SBH’s Urijayah Chance.
“It gives us more confidence in harder games like our conference games moving forward,” Carter said.
The victory extended the Cyclones’ winning streak to three games, and boosted CCS’ record to 8-2-1.
“I’m most happy because we changed up a lot of our defensive and mid-field schemes, which is something we haven’t done or practiced all year, because I’m getting ready for a tough conference game we have coming up,” said CCS head coach Carl Bradshaw. “So we switched things around and they adjusted really well. That’s what I was so happy with them about. We have not practiced the three back a whole lot this year, and they came in, listened before the game and they executed really well. So I was really pleased with them.”
The Eagles (2-1-2) fell for the first time this season, but not for a lack of scoring chances generated against Carter, with Yamile Aguilar and Luna Jaimes in particular generating good looks throughout the game.
“I think it was communication and not passing the ball correctly,” Aguilar said. “I feel like we should have had more shots towards the goal and kicked the ball forward more. I feel like we were missing some opportunities.”
Both goalkeepers put up strong performances throughout the afternoon. Carter made seven saves for the clean sheet, none bigger than one shortly before Ventura’s game winner to keep it scoreless.
The Eagles’ Cindy Aguilar let a shot fly from the top of the 18, and, after deflecting it up in the air, Carter rolled back, grabbed the ball and thew it out to keep it from landing over the line.
“That was scary,” Carter said. “I was actually practicing it before the game. I was warming up with my Dad, and I was asking him if I were to grab the ball and almost roll into the goal, could I throw it out? He said I could, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Eagles head coach Manuel Rodriguez estimated that Chance stopped about 10 shots, several of the sharp variety to keep the Eagles in the game.
“She’s a good goalkeeper,” Rodriguez said. “I love her energy and her attitude on our team.”
In the 62nd minute, Ventura took a forward pass from Brooke Daniel inside the 6, and fired home a shot that deflected off Chance and the top bar on its way into the goal, giving CCS a lead it would not relinquish.
“I got it from Brooke, it was a really good assist,” Ventura said. “Once I shot it, I didn’t think I was going to make it because (Chance) got a hand on it, but thankfully it went to the top left and went in.”
The Eagles had chances to knot the game up, including a shot off the iron by Jaimes in the game’s last few minutes, but could not find the back of the net.
“We had a few chances, but sadly, none of them went in,” Aguilar said.
The Cyclones also had a few scoring chances they couldn’t connect on, but knew it was a matter of staying the course with their attack and remaining patient.
“We had a lot of possible goals, but they didn’t go in,” Ventura said. “I knew it was coming. We just had to be patient and keep working hard. And it came.”
This was the second meeting of the year between the Cyclones and Eagles, with the first ending in a 3-3 draw at Community Christian on March 16.
“I feel like our girls are getting better every game,” Bradshaw said. “Even in the losses that we’ve had, we’re doing the right things. Sometimes it’s just not your night. But they’re getting better and better at every aspect of the game.”
The Eagles will return to action on Wednesday, April 19 against Wake Prep.
The Cyclones will look to build off this win with a quick turnaround, as they get set to visit Gramercy Christian on Tuesday.
“I told them before the game, ‘girls, I want you all to come in with energy, because we play Gramercy, who is the top of the South Division of the (Mid-Atlantic Christian Athletic Association.) I told them, ‘We need this game to propel us into tomorrow’s game.’ They came out with energy, and they came out with pride in their school and in themselves. I was very pleased.”