Local high school soccer teams will begin a final push for a spot in the postseason this week, as they play out the final matches of the North Bay League schedule.
The Analy Lady Tigers weathered a tough stretch in NBL Oak Division play, dropping recent matches to Sonoma Academy (2-1) and Montgomery (3-0). Tannin Klunis scored Analy’s lone goal against the Coyotes.
At press time the Tigers (4-5, 8-6) were preparing to close out league with home dates against Maria Carrillo (Feb. 5) and Ukiah (Feb. 7, 7 p.m.), followed by a road clash at Windsor (Feb. 9, 12 p.m.).
“This was a rough week for us. We lost a player to injury during our Sonoma Academy game, and by the time we started the Montgomery game, we only had 14 out of 20 players,” Analy coach Brittney Briones reported. “This did not detour the girls; they played with a lot of heart and really came together as a team.”
Meanwhile, the Lady Lions bounced back from an 11-0 Redwood Division loss to Santa Rosa with a 3-2 victory over Healdsburg. Lily Dittman scored two goals while Ivory Daly added one.
“Bridget Nicleas had an incredible week as goalkeeper with some phenomenal saves,” El Mo coach Emily Farrant reported. “Lily Dittman stepped up in getting us the goals we needed and Carma Wilson, Kiara Garcia-Lopez, Hailey Sheridan and Natalie Alberigi have been key players in the midfield and defense.”
El Molino (3-4-1, 4-7-1) will close out the league campaign on Feb. 6 in a 6 p.m. start at Elsie Allen.
Analy, El Mo boys battling in Redwood Division
The Analy boys continued their push toward a likely postseason berth, gaining an even split in a pair of recent NBL matches. The Tigers posted a 1-0 win over Roseland University Prep on Jan. 29, but fell in a hard-fought battle with Cardinal Newman two nights later, 2-1.
At press time the Tigers (2-4-2, 7-5-3) were preparing to play out the NBL schedule with upcoming matches at El Molino (Feb. 5, 6 p.m.), at Piner (Feb. 7, 6 p.m.) and home versus Ukiah (Feb. 9, 2 p.m.).
The Lions also had a mixed bag on the NBL pitch, sandwiching a 2-2 tie to Ukiah on Jan. 31 with losses to Maria Carrillo (3-2) and Piner (3-1). Scoring goals against the Pumas were Logan Myers and Jahmye Daly. Finding the net against Ukiah were Sergio Sanchez and Jesse Gonzales, while Daly tallied the lone score for the Lions against Piner.
El Mo (3-6-1, 4-9-2) will finish the league campaign with matches versus Analy and Roseland University Prep (Feb. 9, 12 p.m.).
