By Seth Lopez
On Friday night the Rangers from Redwood High School Women’s soccer team faced the Tigers from San Luis Obispo High School in a home match at Mineral King Bowl. This game was the quarterfinals to division one playoff match. The Rangers came out on top with a win over the Tigers three to one.
San Luis Obispo started with the ball to open up the game. As they passed the ball around it was taken by Redwood and their first possession of the ball they were able to work the ball upfield and get the ball in senior forward, Natalie McDonnell ‘23, feet who then shot the ball into the back of the net for a first minute goal to give the Rangers a quick one to zero lead over the visiting Tigers.
The Tigers did not let this lead stay for long. When they started with the ball in the center of the field they were able to work the ball past the Ranger defense and score with a kick by the tigers very own Sophia Bastidos in the second minute of the game to even out the score one to one in the playoff match.
Talking to senior, Jocelyn Arellano ‘23, she said “Going into the game we wanted to play how we have been training, and use our fast attack to get us a lead early into the game”. When asked about the preparation for this game Arellano said “to prepare throughout the week we have been studying how they play. We watched film on their first round then set up drills in practice so we know how to counter against them”
The next big play of the game happened in the 35th minute of the game right before halftime with another goal scored by Natalie McDonnell ‘23 to give Redwood the lead over San Luis Obispo two to one right before halftime.
McDonnell has been having a phenomenal season this year. With the Injury of star forward, Paityn Bruce ‘24, she has stepped up and filled the role. McDonnell has 23 goals on the season and is averaging one goal per game. Talking to McDonnell about her key to success she says “I feel like this season I’ve been putting together all of my training and really focusing on bettering myself as a player.”
She adds, “There’s also a great group of girls this year and we’ve created a great team environment that makes it easy to enjoy practice.”
The second half of the game, the Rangers started with the ball and didn’t waste any time. Midfielder, Ellie Gilbert ‘24, passed to Avery Yagle, who then kicked the ball into the back of the net for another Redwood goal in the first minute of the half. This extended the Rangers lead over the Tigers three to one.
The Redwood defense fought tough and hard through the rest of the game up until they heard those three whistle blows from the referee signaling the end of the game. The final score was three to one with the Rangers finishing on top. Redwood takes on Liberty High School In Bakersfield, Tuesday the twenty-first.
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