An exhausting tie for Estancia girls

Bryce Alderton

One goal on 31 shots, one goal on one legitimate shot.

That’s pretty much the story for a frustrated Estancia High girls

soccer team that dominated play Friday against visiting Bolsa Grande

but was only able to salvage a 1-1 tie in a nonleague game.

Marina “Coco” Abdul shook her head in amazement at the number of

shots the Eagles took with only one going in.

Abdul started possession near midfield and kicked the ball to a

speeding Maria Sanchez, who dribbled the ball through a 10-yard hole

that opened in the middle of the field.

Bolsa Grande’s goalkeeper strode out toward the charging Sanchez

but the senior forward directed the shot to the keeper’s left and

tied the game, 1-1, with 20 minutes remaining. With time winding

down, Abdul almost headed a ball into the net on a kick from the far

corner by Sandra Lopez, but Matador goalkeeper Delin DeSantiago made

one of her 19 saves to thwart the shot.

The goal was little consolation to Estancia head coach Nadine

Rajabi.

“You guys are so much better than that,” said Rajabi to the team

sitting in a circle around her after the game. “We need to play with

more heart. We can’t wait until the other team scores a goal to get

fired up.”

Estancia (0-1-2) has scored one goal in its last two games.

“No way should we have tied that game,” assistant coach Subrina

Witt told the team following the game. “We’re not on the same page

here.”

Through time, Rajabi hopes the Eagles can find the chemistry.

“There’s a lot of talent on this team, it’s just a matter of

putting it together,” Rajabi said.

Eagle goalkeeper Stephanie Veliz made four saves and junior Randee

Gambill fired many shots on goal but was turned away.

Karleen Curran also gave the Matadors fits, booting a shot off a

penalty kick outside the 18-yard box early in the second half and

crossing to Gambill on another Eagle shot attempt.

“(Curran) had an amazing game,” Rajabi said.