Warriors making comebacks in girls soccer games

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook High School’s girls soccer team trailed in each of the Warriors’ first four Valley League games, but the Warriors compiled a 1-2-1 record in those matches.

“The girls have done a great job,” said Fallbrook coach Nico Guerra. “I’m very happy with what they’re doing.”

Fallbrook preceded league play with the Southern California Classic tournament Dec. 28-29. The Dec. 28 game at Fallbrook was a 4-0 Mission Hills victory. “They’re a better team. They’re a higher level,” Guerra said. “We didn’t have a really good game.”

Mission Hills had a 1-0 halftime lead. The Warriors allowed three goals in the final 10 minutes.

The Dec. 29 game at Oceanside ended as a 1-1 tie. “We dominated that game. I thought we were going to score more than one,” Guerra said.

Oceanside scored in the first two minutes of the game. “They just took a long shot and they hit it,” Guerra said. “It was a great shot.”

Fallbrook scored the tying goal with about 15 minutes remaining. Mikayla Gioia sent a cross pass to Jade Boltinghouse, who placed the shot into the net. “That was a great play,” Guerra said.

Valley League play for the Warriors began Jan. 12 with a 2-1 win at home against Escondido. The Cougars had a 1-0 halftime lead. “In a matter of five minutes we scored two goals,” Guerra said.

The two goals were midway in the second half. In both cases, Alexa Van Eik scored with an assist from Paige Gartner.

Rancho Bernardo traveled to Fallbrook for a Jan. 14 contest and returned with a 2-1 victory. The Broncos scored about 15 minutes into the game. Giola scored about 30 minutes into the match, and the score was 1-1 at halftime. With about 10 minutes left, Rancho Bernardo scored the winning goal on a free kick.

“We held ourselves pretty good,” Guerra said. “I’m very happy.”

On three occasions the Warriors had a breakaway to create a one-on-one opportunity against the Broncos’ goalkeeper. “We created three good opportunities during the game,” Guerra said. “We missed all three.”

The Jan. 19 home game against San Pasqual was a 1-0 loss to the Golden Eagles. “Very unfortunate,” Guerra said. “We dominated I would say 70% of the game.”

The second-half goal occurred after Fallbrook cleared the ball to approximately midfield. “It bounced back right outside the 18 and she just headed it,” Guerra said. “She didn’t even control it. She just shot it.”

The Warriors received no such breaks. “I thought it was just a matter of time to score,” Guerra said. “It didn’t happen.”

Fallbrook hosted Valley Center on Jan. 21. “I knew we were going to struggle because they had nine seniors,” Guerra said. “They’re pretty physical.”

The Jaguars scored midway in the first half. “We kept attacking,” Guerra said. “We had a number of chances.”

In the final three minutes, Fallbrook was unsuccessful on three breakaway opportunities. With about three minutes remaining Gartner took a corner kick and sent a cross pass to Van Eik, who scored to tie the game.

“We could have won the game because the girls worked really hard. I’m very happy,” Guerra said.

“The girls are coming along pretty well and dominating the game or at least having 55, 60% possession of the ball,” Guerra said. “Sooner or later we’re going to score more goals.”

The tie against Valley Center gave Fallbrook an overall season record of 4-5-2.

“Now they’re coming along together. They’re working very hard,” Guerra said. “They’re communicating very well. They’re connecting passes.”