T-Birds defense not enough; defeated by unbeaten Pumas
Rene Gomez
The Mesa T-Birds women’s soccer team lost in a 1-0 battle against the unbeaten and defending champion Paradise Valley Pumas Thursday Oct. 3 at John D. Riggs Stadium.
The T-Birds’ overall record is at 5-7 with eight matches left in the regular season.
Even though the T-Birds sit at seventh in the conference, it is possible to make a run for the playoffs because the sixth and fifth place teams (Phoenix and Pima) are within reach.
Also, the T-Birds have one match against each of those opponents left on the schedule to try to move up.
The match against the Pumas was a defensive showcase that exhibited how well the T-Birds can play when at their best.
The Pumas lead the conference in total goals scored (48) and goals against (5), but the T-Birds have been the only team to hold the Pumas to just one goal in a single match.
It was evident the T-Birds’ intensity, focus, and aggression were the keys to that success in the first half when the Pumas could not manage any good looks for shots on goal.
“We talked about not putting pressure on themselves so we had nothing to lose,” said Coach Drew Guarneri.
It was statistically the team’s toughest matchup, but the T-Birds were also hungry for the upset.
“We wanted to get a result and all we needed to do was play our game and let them make the mistake,” said freshman forward Ericka Sanchez.
The second half started out well even when the Pumas scored a goal in the 54th minute.
The opportunities on offense were just not there as the Pumas defensive play stepped up to protect their one goal lead.
“We need to just go forward,” said Sanchez, “We tend to focus on possession a lot so we get stuck in the middle instead of looking to go forward.”
Freshman striker Jordan Drake was unable to get free from the Puma defense that keyed in on her the entire match.
The T-Birds offense overall was unable to find the looks to get shots on goal.
“I think maybe we need to control it in the offensive third and look for open people, try to make options, and just finish,” Drake said.
The T-Birds take on the Cochise Apaches in their next home match at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19.
