A full roster pumped up the Santa Barbara High girls soccer team on Monday, and the Dons responded by winning at Moorpark, 1-0, on Lizzie Goss’ seccond-half goal on a free kick.
“We had five players make their season debuts tonight and a full roster reinvigorated our side,” coach Silas Fallstitch said.
The Dons got off to a slow start but got clutch defensive play from Kendall Dawson and Hayden Randolph to keep Moorpark from scoring.
Senior forward and captain Sofia Capelettti got the Santa Barbara attack going late in the first half. She created a couple of scoring chances for herself and another for Emi Whalberg.
Santa Barbara stepped up its game in the second half and scored the goal after Whalberg was fouled on a drive to the goal. Goss stepped up and ripped her free kick into into the top left corner for the eventual game winner.
The play of Santa Barbara center backs Liberty Tank and Brianna Lopez and senior goalkeeper Lia Rodriguez held off Moorpark attacks to preserve the Dons’ first win of the season.
“Moorpark’s pressure resulted in several corner kicks (9 for the game), but our defense stayed strong clearing all chances from danger,” said Fallstitch.
Goss also made a clutch defensive play in the last 10 minutes. “She raced to pressure a Moorpark player, blocking a quality shot from 18 yards,” said Fallstitch.
The Dons (1-2-0) play at Saugus on Wednesday.