Norman, Arbor View girls quickly regain form against Legacy

It often takes time for teams to regain momentum after a long break.

For Arbor View’s girls soccer team, it only took 20 minutes.

Bianca Norman had two goals and an assist Tuesday as the Aggies rolled to a 5-0 win at Legacy in the first game of 2010 for both teams.

“She’s a four-year varsity starter for us, and she’s going to Gonzaga next year on a full-ride scholarship,” Arbor View coach Jay Howard said of Norman. “Her speed and skill combination is what makes her special.”

Arbor View’s four first-half goals came seven minutes apart, with Norman redirecting a cross from Dakota Olson in the 22nd minute for the opening score in the barrage.

“We’re capable of doing that, we just haven’t done it a lot this year, scoring goals in spurts like that,” Howard said. “We created a lot of opportunities, and it finally came together. That was nice to see. We were hoping it would carry over to the second half a little bit, but credit to Legacy that it didn’t.”

Norman and Olson teamed up again for the final goal of the game in the 52nd minute.

Goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden made one save to earn the shutout.

Both teams struggled to get anything started for the first 20 minutes. Legacy goalkeeper Brandi Zaragoza made three of her eight saves before the 0-0 draw was broken.

“I think both teams were a little rusty from the Christmas break — especially the first 10 minutes of the match was real sloppy,” Howard said. “But I thought we had a good second 20 minutes (of the first half).”

Amberly Halstead and Mckenzie Karas also scored for Arbor View.

The Aggies took 17 shots, including eight on goal, compared with just two by the Longhorns.

Legacy finally got a shot on goal in the 66th minute, but Chandi Akau’s blast was saved by Luevano-Harden.

Ashley Stichouf had a free kick late in the match for the Longhorns, but the shot sailed over the crossbar.