The defending champion Lady Tigers stayed perfect on the Sonoma County League soccer pitch, logging shutout wins over Healdsburg (7-0), Sonoma Academy (1-0) and Sonoma Valley (1-0) to solidify their spot at the top of the standings.
At press time Analy (10-1-2, 7-0) were prepping for the second of two season matches against visiting apple rival El Molino on Jan. 24, and entertain Petaluma in a key match on Friday, Jan. 26. Both varsity matches start at 7 p.m.
“We won all three games (last week), but our matches against Sonoma Academy and Sonoma Valley were barnburners, they could have gone either way,” Analy coach Brittney Briones said. “Both Sonoma Academy and Sonoma Valley are very strong teams with a strong midfield and possession game and we were fortunate to walk away with a win.”
Goals scorers against Healdsburg included Maisy Butler (2), Jaden Gude, Deja Burry, Claire Brown, Riley Yates and Lily Ziemer. Assists went to Isa Gilbraith (2), Deja Burry, Claire Brown and Emily Gristch (2).
Veteran Tannin Klunis tallied the Tiger’s lone goal against Sonoma Academy, converting a corner kick by Emily Gristch. The ball was played in and bounced off several players before Tannin put it in the back of the net.
Zaida Jenkins scored for the Tigers against Sonoma Valley off a perfectly placed assist from Klunis. Emily Gristch also had a hand in the score with a nice pass to Klunis.
Lions turn back Hounds, Prospectors
El Molino (5-7, 3-4) logged their best week of the season with successive wins over Healdsburg and Piner, before falling to Sonoma Academy in overtime.
It was all El Molino in the Jan. 17 clash with visiting Healdsburg, starting the match with a pair of own goals before scoring seven more times in a 9-0 win.
The Lions needed overtime to put away a stubborn Piner squad, scoring a pair of goals in the extra frame to post a 2-0 win.
“We definitely dominated the game but had trouble putting them away,” El Mo coach Emily Farrant said. It was a nice performance by the girls.”
El Mo was riding a three-game win streak when they took the field against Sonoma Academy on Jan. 19, getting goals from Carly Hittenmiller and Lily Dittman in the last 15 minutes of the second half to send it into overtime tied at 2-2. The magic ran out in the extra period, as the Coyotes scored a pair of goals to ice a 4-2 win.
“It was our third game of the week and second game with overtime with only two subs,” Farrant noted. “It was a well played game by the girls and exciting. Sonoma Academy is the team to beat and we came really close.”
The Lions will visit Analy (Jan. 24) and travel to Sonoma Valley on Friday, Jan. 26 in a 3:30 p.m. varsity contest.
