Girl power

By Michael Ashcraft --

Sophia Aguilar is a sub on Lighthouse Christian Academy's team. Towards the end of the first half, Coach gave her some playing time, and she didn't let him down.

She got in the area and fought for a ball next to the goal line in front of goal. The defender was in her way. She pushed him with her body, and the ball went in.

Sophia is NOT known for being pushy.

But the soccer heritage of her family emerged right at the perfect moment and in the right way. Lighthouse pulled ahead of rivals Newbury Adventist Academy 3-2.

"It was a great 80-minutes of soccer," said Coach Emanuel Rodriguez. "We saw a lot of effort from both teams. It was very much a movement of defensive and attacking from both teams. We went a little too defensive in the second half, and there were mistakes that was nobody's fault. It was a slipping on the ground. Somebody tried to get in front of a shot and that moved the ball to an opposite way that (goalie) Alex committed to one side. Other than that, we had an amazing game."

The Saints lost 3-5. They looked sun-zapped in the second half, and the Gators looked panicked, like they couldn't believe they were losing. They were determined to fight to win. They wanted the game more.

Still it was a bright game for Sophia -- and for all the girls on the co-ed Saints that face all-boy teams throughout the league.

It has taken all season for the Saints team to come together, for the knowledgeable soccer players to impart to the novices the basics of play. After opening with individuals trying to be Superman and do everything themselves alone, the Saints have learned to pass and play strategy.

Exjani Rojas is the quarterback. As defensive midfielder, he blunts opponents' attacks, dispossess and sends long balls for speedy Andrew Morales to slot home. Andrew scored two.

Lighthouse plays its last season game this week.