Santa Barbara High’s girls soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 defeat against Lompoc in a battle among the top teams in the Channel League on Thursday at San Marcos.
The result keeps Lompoc in first place in league at 5-0-3 (18 points), one point ahead of Dos Pueblos (5-1-2, 17 points). Santa Barbara remains in third with 13 points (4-3-1).
The only goal was scored on a penalty kick. Amy Bommersbach converted the PK after speedy forward Ayziah Simmons drew a foul in the 18-yard box early in the second half.
“Tonight’s game left a really bitter taste in our mouth,” said Santa Barbara coach Bridget Thomson. “The goal came from yet another PK, which is how we lost to this team last time at their house. So walking off the field tonight felt very unsettling.”
Santa Barbara created good scoring chances for its forward line of senior Sophia Capelletti and sophomores Cate Hansen and Athena Bow-Graham in the first half, but the Dons couldn’t put the ball away.
Thomson praised the play of senior captain Mikayla Thoits.
“She had a stellar game in the midfield and really battled as it was her last game of her high school career.
The Dons play Cabrillo on Monday.
“Bottom line is we move onto the next one as a group and use this as a good learning opportunity,” said Thomson.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.