Bishop Diego overcame several missed scoring chances early in the game and pulled out a 4-2 victory over Villanova Prep in a Frontier League girls soccer match on Monday in Ojai.
Defender and captain Emma Carty got up field, dribbled past four defenders and buried her shot to seal the win in the 75th minute.
The Cardinals could have put the game away early as they outshot Villanova 7-1 in the first eight minutes.
“It was clear that team has learned from this game to maintain their discipline, consistency and a killer instinct to finish off opportunities,” coach Nana Akyen said. “It’s great to see the leaders of our team taking initiative, even defenders not being afraid to join in the attack. It’s great and gives a team more success if defenders are also able to produce goals.”
Siena Urzua found the back of the net in the 19th minute, but Villanova answered two minutes later.
Alina Urzua gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead in the second half and captain Julia Gregson made it 3-1 by finishing a cross from Nicole Borden.
Villanova capitalized on a Bishop misplay in the back to make it a one-goal game in the 74th minute.
But Carty rescued the Cardinals with her big play.
“Although as a coaching staff, we were frustrated with the lack of urgency and underestimating the opponent in today’s game, we are encouraged they pulled themselves together and got the result.” said Akyen.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.