Sports
Tesoro's Girls Soccer Team Edges JSerra, Extends Unbeaten Streak to 13 Games
Titans defeat visiting Lions, 1-0, on Taylor Thurmond's goal to advance to meet Newport Harbor in second round of CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs.
The Outcome... Tesoro 1, JSerra 0
The Titans defended their home turf and extended an impressive unbeaten streak to 13 games on Thursday with a narrow victory over the Lions in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. Tesoro's Taylor Thurmond scored eight minutes into the first half and the Titans' defense did the rest en route to the victory over a surprising JSerra squad.
“We have outstanding team chemistry and we’re like a family out there,” Tesoro defender Torey Markoritz said. “It’s a lot easier to win when you trust and respect everyone on your sideline.”
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Turning Point... The Titans Strike Swiftly
Tesoro (14-2-6) entered the contest with a tremendous amount of momentum and the team‘s hot streak continued in the opening minutes. Thurmond sent her goal past JSerra goalkeeper Morgan Williams after receiving the ball off a rebound from teammate Jessica White’s shot.
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Lions (11-10-4) quickly found themselves facing an uphill battle, needing two goals to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Despite entering the match as an underdog, JSerra, the surprising third-place finisher in the Trinity League, simply couldn’t be counted out.
Titans coach Nick Schofield felt the early advantage was pivotal.
“It’s huge to get a goal early in the game, particularly in the playoffs,” Schofield said. “You force the other team to fight a little bit extra, so it was great to pick that one up and put some pressure on them because we knew [JSerra] would fight hard.”
The Difference... Tesoro’s Defensive Lockdown
The Titans out-shot JSerra, 5-4, in a match that featured few legitimate scoring opportunities. Defense ultimately determined the outcome of a tightly-contested game, and Tesoro’s proved to be just a little bit better.
A veteran defensive backfield, anchored by Markoritz, a senior, and junior Brooke Carter, consistently stymied the Lions’ attack. Tesoro orchestrated a well-schemed 4-3-3 defensive game plan to perfection, moving its forwards back to assist at midfield and giving JSerra trouble throughout the match.
“Defensively, we were pretty strong,” Schofield said. “We were able to control possession for much of the day and it was a solid performance to limit their opportunities.”
It Was Over When... The Lions’ Final Attack Came Up Empty
JSerra had one of its best scoring opportunities as stoppage time neared conclusion. Anallyce Hagopian sent a difficult shot on net from the left of Titans’ goalkeeper Ashley Penton. The attempt momentarily sent a scare into the Tesoro sidelines and crowd, but the ball ultimately floated harmlessly into Penton’s hands.
The Aftermath... Newport Harbor is Next for Tesoro
The Titans attempt to secure a spot in the quarterfinals when they face Newport Harbor on Tuesday. The match’s location will be determined by an upcoming coin flip, according to Schofield.
JSerra’s season ends with a tough defeat, but the overachieving Lions feature a rotation filled with underclassmen and should come back stronger next season. Assistant coach Ali Malaekeh believes his team should keep its head high.
“We’re just so proud of the girls for fighting hard all year long,” Malaekeh said. “We started the year picked to finish last [in the Trinity League], but the team has come together and this season’s results really show how much we’ve grown. We came out to battle today and gave Tesoro a run for their money.”
