Jags positioning for a likely NCS postseason berth
The Lady Jaguars stayed in the hunt for North Coast Section playoff consideration last week with a hard-fought split in two league outings, following up a 2-1 loss to Ukiah with a 1-0 win over Santa Rosa.
The mixed result extended Windsor’s overall record to 8-7-2 and 3-6-1 in the North Bay League.
At press time the Jaguars were preparing to enter the final phase of the NBL schedule, beginning with a home match with first-place Montgomery on Oct. 18, followed by a Friday, Oct. 21 visit to Casa Grande (6 p.m.).
With just four matches left on the NBL schedule, the Jaguars are approaching each match as critical to their postseason hopes.
“We need to win three of our last four games to ensure a spot in the playoffs,” WHS coach Mark Archambault said.
The girls opened their recent stretch with an Oct. 11 clash with visiting Ukiah, the first match played on their home turf following a complete replacement of the synthetic fill and an okay from school officials.
The Jags drew first blood in the opening half when Taylor Brogden took a pass from teammate Katie Bianchi and headed the ball passed the Wildcat’s goalie for a 1-0 lead. Ukiah converted a penalty kick later in the period and the contest was knotted 1-1 at the break.
The teams ratcheted up the intensity level after intermission, battling tooth and nail for the next 39 minutes before the ‘Cats broke the deadlock with just 30 seconds remaining to pull out a 2-1 win.
“We knew going into the game it was going to be very physical,” Archambault noted. “It was a very disheartening loss for us and the second game in a row which we lost in the last 30 seconds.”
Windsor had redemption on its mind when it traveled to Santa Rosa on Oct. 13, coming out determined and focused in a scoreless first half. The Jags scored the game-winner in the second period, as Bianchi took a pass from Madison Monroe and drove it over the goalie’s out-stretched arms for a 1-0 victory.
“It was a game we needed to win,” Archambault said. “The ladies were able to channel their disappointment from Tuesday’s loss into positive energy.”
