Carlmont’s varsity girls soccer team won their first game of the season 2-1 over the Notre Dame Tigers on Tuesday night.
The Scots were slow to begin the game as both teams struggled to create scoring chances. No early goals were conceded and the score remained 0-0 for most of the first half.
However, the Scots were able to break the ice towards the end of the first half following sophomore Anna Motamarry’s shot curving into the top corner, giving them a 1-0 lead.
“In the first two games, we struggled to connect passes between the midfield and the attackers. We dominated possession for most of the game, and the passing between the forwards and midfielders helped us create chances, leading to the goal,” said head coach Jillian Quan.
The Scots created more goal-scoring opportunities after the goal, but the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
The second half started quickly as the Scots pressed the Tigers on their defensive side of the field. The pressure forced multiple mistakes from the Tiger’s defense, leading to a corner kick for the Scots.
“Coming out of halftime, we were more aggressive to win the ball, and we wanted it more than them. In previous matches, we lacked communication and anticipation, but we were eager to win tonight which showed in our playstyle,” said sophomore Niyati Hazari.
Off of a corner kick to the penalty spot inside the 18-yard box, senior Thais Nunez flicked the ball into the net, increasing the Scots’ lead to 2-0.
As a team, we connected passes and worked together much better than in the previous games. We got more comfortable with each other as the match progressed and played to our potential.
— Delfina Bianchi
Soon after, the Tigers showed intensity and scored off of their corner kick. The power shot gave them hope for the match’s final minutes, but the Scots were able to close out the game securing their first victory of the season.
The Scots plan to use this win as motivation for their upcoming games, in hopes of ultimately reaching Central Coast Section (CCS) Playoffs. Their goal is to win the league and the Scots know they have a strong enough team to achieve that.
“The win proves that we can play cohesively and it’s all about playing together as a team. Most of us aren’t comfortable with each other on the field this early in the season, and building that chemistry is important to be successful,” said senior Delfina Bianchi.
According to Quan, the Scots plan to work hard in practice and strengthen their overall team weekly. They will practice upon the challenges faced within the previous match, hoping to take the team play to the next level.
“We have 17 more games to go, and we know it will be a tough road. Just within the division, we’re going up against the strongest teams in our area, so we know that the work doesn’t stop here, and we’ve got to continue to build our connection on the field,” Quan said.
