Warriors rally for victory over Spirits
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Victor Rodriguez had a goal in the second half against Paraclete. He has three goals on the year.
Faced with an early deficit to start the match, the Warriors came alive in the second period to record a 4-1 victory last Thursday evening over Paraclete.
The Spirits recorded the game’s first goal in the 21st minute, taking a shot off a deflection for the 1-0 advantage.
However, Tehachapi (13-3) answered with seven minutes remaining in the first period when Jose Barajas orchestrated the equalizer with a cross to Cameron Gamble, who juked the goal keeper before booting in the tying goal.
“We had a slow start and we seemed a bit rusty,” said head coach Roger Rijfkogel. “After that first goal we got back into the swing of things.”
In the second period, the Warriors settled into the contest with six shots on goal, with three connecting for scores in the eventual 4-1 win.
Barajas scored the go-ahead goal with a header in the box and Freddy Benitez had a 25-yard rifling shot that found the back of the net, both off David Veszpeller assists. Victor Rodriguez had the final goal off a Gamble assist.
Mountain Soccer also had many stellar defensive performances, highlighted by Kyle Mathes Orr thwarting a shot in the goal box on a Paraclete corner kick.
“Our defense really stepped up as the game went on,” added Rijfkogel. “They kept real cool under pressure and prevented a lot of scoring chances. It was definitely a bright spot for us.”
Keeper Zach Satton had four saves overall in the game, including a leaping stop on a Spirit breakaway in the 66th minute.
The Warriors will be in action this week with a pair of SEYL debut away games against East on Wednesday and Highland on Friday. The games will start at 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
The Braves (4-5-2) registered their most lopsided win of the season last week, exploding for a 7-0 victory over Paraclete.
Kyle Winchell had two goals and Joe Zollar, Leo Cano, Connor O’Neal, Austin Montgomery and Justin Handy all had net finders in the win.
Cano was also credited with three assists, followed by Josh Mitchell, Tyler Bakker and O’Neal with assists.
Cameron Snyder was credited with the shutout at keeper, recording four saves overall.
