Matadors extend streaks with victory over Grizzlies

Matadors extend streaks with victory over Grizzlies

Monte Vista falls to Torrey Pines in shootout;

Berean tops Acalanes

Article Launched: 12/23/2007 02:58:39 AM PST

By Bill Kruissink

STAFF WRITER

The Miramonte High School girls soccer team kept two streaks going at the Tri-Valley Classic Tournament.

By beating visiting California 1-0 in the Gold Late Division final on Saturday, the Matadors (10-0-1) extended their undefeated streak to 11 games.

More impressively, the Matadors kept their scoreless streak going: In 11 games, Miramonte is yet to be scored upon.

"We're going to give up a goal eventually," Matadors defensive player Corrine Collins said. "But for now, we'll keep it going."

The scoreless streak was needed to beat the Grizzlies (9-4-2). California had defeated three opponents by a combined 7-0 and led Miramonte 26-24 in total points heading to the title game. The Matadors came in with two wins, but also a scoreless tie against Amador Valley.

Given its track record, Miramonte needed to score at least one goal. After a scoreless first half, the Matadors got the goal it needed. Miramonte's Elaine Tanski crossed to Marisa Rowland, who slammed the ball into the upper left-hand corner of the net nine minutes into the second half.

After that, the Matadors settled into its defense, especially when the Grizzlies brought everyone forward in the closing minutes.

"We try to cover for each other," Collins said.

Grizzlies coach Lee Munson said he thought his team played well, but were a tad tired going into the noon start at Miramonte.

"We didn't have the energy. We played at 7:30 last night,"

Munson said. "And we had just 13 healthy players. So the energy level was down.

"But their goal was nice."

California outshot Miramonte 7-4. Matadors goalkeeper Shelby Church recorded five saves, Grizzlies goalie Shelby Tomasello had three.

Miramonte's last Tri-Valley championship was in 2005 when it defeated Berean Christian 3-1 for the Maroon Division title.

Torrey Pines-Encinitas 1, Monte Vista 0: Two of the top-ranked teams in the country met in the championship match of the Invitational Division at the Mustang Soccer Complex. Obviously, something had to give -- but not by much, as it turned out.

Scoreless through two 10-minute overtimes, the Falcons outshot the Mustangs 4-3 in a shootout to win the match and the title. Officially, a shootout is scored as a tie for both teams.

The overtime win, as well as a 1-0 victory over San Ramon Valley, a 1-1 tie against Archbishop Mitty and a 1-0 win with Foothill, should keep the Falcons at or near the top of the national rankings.

"It's tough not to win, but we played great," Monte Vista coach Greg Fish said. "I'm proud of the girls and this game could have gone either way."

Truly, it could. The Mustangs (8-2-2) outshot the Falcons 7-2 in the first half. That statistic was weighted against the Falcons ripping a penalty shot past Mustangs goalkeeper Taylor Gonzalez about 30 minutes into the second half. But when a Torrey Pines player stepped into the box prematurely on the shot, the goal was called back, allowing the Mustangs fan base a chance to breath once more.

With both teams showing some weariness down the stretch (the teams played four games in three days; the Mustangs' last pool match was earlier in the day), the defenses held.

The Mustangs backfield of Jackie Spinner, Hannah Marsala, Alexa Stringer and Marissa Zamora checked the Falcons' strong offense long enough to send the game into overtime.

In the shootout, Courtney Jones, Lauren Anderson and Amanda Owens all scored, while the Falcons' Alexandra Moran had her shot blocked by Michelle Harrison to give Monte Vista the edge. Harrison failed to get the next two Falcons' shots, while Torrey Pines ran the table to notch the win.

"We played well today," Fish said. "They're a good team, so it was a good game."

Berean Christian 4, Acalanes 3: Trailing 3-0 at the half, the Eagles rallied to tie in regulation then win the Silver Division title in a shootout.

"At halftime, I said, 'You have to go play like it's 0-0. Right now is where your courage shows,'" Eagles coach Barbara Scoles said.

The Eagles (10-0-2) evened the match with two goals by Anna DeBoer and one by Tracy Adams. In the shootout, freshman goalkeeper Sarah Sauter denied to shots, while Kayla Turkovich, Megan Hill and DeBoer all scored to earn the championship.