The Carpinteria girls managed to slow down the scoring machine of Santa Clara High School before falling to a 2-0 non-league shutout loss Friday.
Santa Clara, now 4-0, averaged more than 12 goals a game in their first three wins, while giving up just one goal.
The initial score came on a penalty kick in the 21st minute and carried a 1-0 lead at the half.
“After halftime, the Warriors continued to frustrate Santa Clara with some great defensive organization and counter opportunities, including a breakaway counter from freshmen Evelyn Lara that just went wide,” Carpinteria coach Freddy Martinez said.
Santa Clara scored the second goal in the 58th minute.
“Due to some injuries during last week’s league games, I had to ask senior Captain Ashley Verduzco to adjust her role, and she played fantastic on both sides of the ball in the holding midfielder spot,” Martinez said. “She intercepted passes, played physically, and put some great balls into the wings and forwards to give us chances.
“She really put the team on her back and played her heart out today.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Gonzalez also had a “phenomenal game,” Martinez said, “coming up with some great saves (7) including a point-blank shot in the early moments of the second half.”
The Warriors are now 3-4-1 and return to action on January 4 against Santa Paula.