Warriors hang on to beat Chargers
Coach Jorge Cobian has already led one Western soccer team to the Sunset Region playoffs. Now he hopes to make it two in one school year.
“The girls are very motivated because I took the guys to the playoffs, and now they want to get theirs, too,” Cobian said.
The Warriors took a big step Monday with a 2-1 win over Clark. Western (4-1-3, 2-1-3) jumped to an early lead and held on for a crucial three points in the Southwest League standings.
Karen Ramirez scored the Warriors’ first goal, and Anacani Gallegos netted the decisive goal midway through the first half. Erika Reynada assisted on both scores.
Reynada’s presence this year has provided a big boost for Western, Cobian said.
“Erika is an all-around athlete,” the second-year coach said. “She plays volleyball, basketball, soccer. Unfortunately, last year she only played a few games; she got injured. She didn’t even get to play basketball at all. But she went to a really good rehab and has been getting back in shape, and she’s been helping us since our first game, scoring and giving assists.”
Warriors goalkeeper Tiara Johnson made seven saves, including three in the second half, when the Chargers took 15 shots.
Kelsey Rastello scored unassisted from 40 yards for Clark (4-5-1, 3-3-1), which also got six shots on goal from Susie Bernal.
The Chargers missed a golden opportunity to score in the 56th minute. Nicole Plecko’s corner kick found Bernal at the top of the box, but her shot bounced off the crossbar and dropped in front of a scrambling Johnson.
