It was another historic week for the upstart El Molino boys soccer team, which recorded its first league victory in five years this month with a win over Piner.
The Lions carried that momentum into their next outing, a Jan. 17 visit to Analy. The result was a 1-0 win, the first victory over the Tigers in more than a decade. Yhosmar Martinez tallied the winning goal.
“We went into half time tied 0-0, but the boys worked hard in the second half and that hard work paid off,” El Mo coach Dave Rosales said.
At press time the Lions (2-3, 3-6-1) were preparing to put their two-game win streak into a Jan. 23 match with visiting Roseland University Prep before making a Friday, Jan. 25 trip to Cardinal Newman. Both matches start at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Tigers (1-3-1,
4-6-2) climbed back into the win column on Jan. 19 with a 3-1 win over Piner and will resume league play at Ukiah on Jan. 23. Analy will travel to Maria Carrillo this Friday, Jan. 25. All varsity games start at 6 p.m.
Ladies battling league foes
After winning five straight SCL titles, the Analy girls are leaving it all on the field this season in the newly aligned North Bay League Oak Division, with their latest stretch starting on Jan. 17 with a hard-fought 3-2 loss at Maria Carrillo. Maisy Butler tallied both goals for the Tigers.
“The girls played well, and we had several big saves from our keeper, Kaija Bazzano,” Tigers coach Brittney Briones said. “We defended as a team and never gave up. Bob (Ryan) and I were very proud of the girls’ performance.”
Analy was back in action on Jan. 21 against visiting Ukiah, as Butler continued to torch the opposition with a second-half goal for a 1-0 Analy victory. Credit Isabella Gilbraith with the assist and Bazzano with the shutout.
The Tigers will start a two-match home stand, including games against Windsor (Jan. 23) and Cardinal Newman (Jan. 25). Both start at 6 p.m.
Lions hanging tough
El Molino logged two recent wins on the NBL Redwood Division circuit, beginning with a 5-0 rout over Healdsburg on Jan. 17. Lily Dittman scored a hat trick with three goals, while Kiara Garcia Lopez and Hayley Sheridan added one goal apiece for the Lions. Credit Julianna Visinth, Elizabeth Lovera and Sheridan with assists. El Mo was also credited with a forfeit win over Elsie Allen, who failed to field a team.
Next up for the Lions (2-2, 3-5) is a Jan. 24 home clash with Rancho Cotate, followed by a Jan. 30 home date with Santa Rosa. Both varsity matches start at 6 p.m.
