by Niki Cunningham
Sports Editor
ereporter: Bob Nielsen
The Lassen Grizzlies girls’ soccer team hosted the Corning Cardinals Tuesday Night at Riverside Park in a battle for second place in the NAL. Both teams were 3-1 coming into the game, both having lost to Division I West Valley. Both teams came out hungry, but Corning came out more aggressive, making passes and plays, but never getting through the very solid Lassen Defense.
Led by Senior Brianna Ashmore, the defense stopped the ball, then they took the time to move it up to the midfield, to try to get something going for the grizzlies. Morgan Martin kept the Corning offense ineffective as she shut down the go-to striker, and Brenna Mendonca kept the long sends under control with her superior speed and ability to read the field. Sabrina Huskey kept the weak side under control, making tough decisions and playing a near-flawless game. Keeper Jordan McCloughan was aided by the post on one shot, and made 6 more saves through the game to keep Corning off the score board.
As the defense shut down attack after attack, the offense started to get better touches. Center forward Chloe Monahan narrowly missed getting the first goal on a break away, and left forward Hailey Chittock nearly got a head ball in the net from a nice cross. Several other shots and crosses ended up in the keeper’s hands, and notwithstanding the good quality crosses and shots throughout the first half, the score was still stuck at zeros by halftime.
The second half also brought a fresh attack by Corning, which was again contained by the Grizzly defense. However, the Lassen attack proved more effective. Lassen earned a free kick from 30 yards out, which Brianna Mendonca was able to send over the top the defense and past the leaping goalkeeper to put Lassen up 1-0. Just minutes later, Lassen earned another free kick near half field. This time, Brenna Mendonca sent a beautiful ball over the defense, but short of the keeper. Her sister Brianna received the ball, and touched it past the advancing keeper to put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Both teams fought hard through the rest of the game, and Lassen had several more very near misses, but Lassen held on for their 6th win in 7 games, and a firm hold on 2nd place in the NAL.
The Grizzlies play in Yreka on Thursday. The Miners are looking to avenge their loss at Lassen, and the Grizzlies need the win to stay in second place.
