Freshman goalie Alyssa Valverde (second from left) pokes a ball away from an approaching Buckingham player.
After winning the first six games, the girls’ soccer team suffered its first loss to the Buckingham Charter Knights, 0-3, on Jan. 26.
This was the highest number of goals the girls have allowed in a game this season. Before, they had allowed only three goals total.
“They scored their goals on crosses to unmarked players,” sophomore Abby LaComb said. “We need to be better (at) marking crosses going forward.”
The Cavs’ offense was stifled by the Knights’ defense as this was the first game where the Cavs have been held scoreless this season.
The combination of aggressive offense and defense of the Knights put pressure on the Cavs the entire game.
“The other team could keep possession of the ball and had a strong offense and defense,” senior Natalie Brown said. “We struggled to keep a strong defense while also attacking.”
Sophomore Michaela Chen drives a ball downfield while senior Natalie Brown and sophomore Brandy Riziki attempt to get open.
Brown said that going forward, the Cavs need to work on their defense.
“We just need to play aggressively and work on defending as a team,” Brown said.
LaComb also said the Cavs’ offense could be better.
“We mostly played defense, so we could work on improving our attack,” LaComb said.
The loss puts the Cavs in second place in league behind the Knights.
Their next game is against the Western Sierra Collegiate Academy Wolves. The Cavs beat the Wolves, 1-0, in their previous matchup. The game is at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, at home.
—By Bryce Longoria
