Thacher School scored on a long kick with seven minutes to play on Thursday for a 3-2 girls soccer win over visiting Bishop Diego in a Frontier League opener.
“We were a little unlucky today,” said Bishop coach Nana Akyen. “We started the game with such great confidence and authority, stringing and spraying passes all over the field, switching the ball from side to side and creating chance after chance. With a 90% possession and five 1vs1 chances against the goalkeeper, we saw nothing but a win in sight. But this beautiful game is also very painful and has a dark side.”
Siena Urzua scored both goals for the Cardinals, taking a pass from her sister Alina Urzua and tying the game 2-2.
With 16 minutes left, Bishop lost sophomore center back to an ankle sprain. “That was a massive blow to our defense because she provides great security with speed, aggressiveness and calmness in the back.,” said Ayken.
After Thacher went ahead 3-2 in the 73rd minute, Siena Urzua went through four defenders with three minutes to go and curled a ball from 25 yards that caromed off the crossbar.
h 3 minutes to go by weaving through 4 defenders and with back turned to goal, curling a ball from 25 yards which teasingly kissed the crossbar but there was no one there to tap it in.
“I’m very very proud of this team and how they have all started to adapt and buy into the new system we are bringing in to revolutionize the girls program at Bishop,” said Ayken.