Skylar Jones
Arts Editor
Mira Costa Girls Soccer faced West Hills High School in the final game of the 2019 California Interscholastic Federation Southern California Regional Championships at home on March 2. Costa fell with a final score of 2-1.
The game kicked off with a slow start. The Mustangs held steady the beginning of the first half, but began to lose energy after West Hill’s scored their first goal off of a penalty kick. The Mustangs fought hard but shortly after let in a second goal, leaving them discouraged and out of breath at the halfway mark of the first half.
“I thought our team played very well defensively,” Junior Ashley Naylor said. “It was very unfortunate that they got a penalty kick for their first goal and their second goal was off a free kick. For the first goal, the only thing we could’ve done differently is not fouled in the box, but sometimes it happens and the referee may or may not call it.”
Costa was determined to get a goal in before the end of the first half, charging up the field into West Hill’s territory. Despite strategic plays and close shots by Rachel Rosen, Chloe Hartley, and junior Grace Watkins, Costa could not manage to get a goal in, making the score 0-2 at the end of the first half.
“It was a tough first half,” junior Chloe Hartley said. “We were down 2-0 but we were confident we could get a goal in during the second half.”
The Mustangs began the second half with energy and enthusiasm. Costa put up a wall on defense, not letting in any goals. Rosen and Watkins charged through West Hill’s defense and straight to the goal. After several attempted shots, Watkins booted the ball past the goalie and scored their first goal.
“When I scored it felt like a weight had been taken off my shoulders. Our team was pushing for a goal the whole game and to finally get the ball in the back of the net felt awesome” Watkins said.
Costa’s defense did not let in any goals for the rest of the game. The defenders sent the ball flying across the field opening up opportunities for in hopes of a goal. However, the Mustangs struggled offensively. They were determined and attacked on offense, but could not manage to get another goal after several attempted shots. Costa lost the game 2-1.
“I thought we struggled offensively at times,” Hartley said. “If we had kept the ball on the ground more, we definitely would’ve tied it up or even won. We look forward to improving our offense and coming back even stronger next season!”
The Mira Costa Mustangs played hard this season, and will be back again next year in the Fall.
“I am so proud of the team and how far we have come,” Naylor said. “It was a bummer that we didn’t win, but we fought hard throughout the entire game and never gave up. We played as a team throughout the whole season and worked hard for each other.”
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