Stallions look sharp despite loss in home opener
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera South’s Brianna Maciel controls the ball near the sideline during Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Clovis West Golden Eagles.
Despite beginning workouts only weeks back, the Madera South Stallions girls soccer team looks to be ready for the new season.
Although the Stallions dropped an overtime non-conference match 2-1 at home Tuesday against Clovis West, Madera South head coach Ramon Delgadillo had high praise for his girls.
“I though the girls fought hard. We had a lot of nice passes and touches,” Delgadillo said. “It is early in the season but the girls played really well against a tough team.”
Madera South’s lone goal scorer, Hazel Iniguez, shone the brightest, but the Stallions, as a whole, showed they are ready for a long and bright season.
“The team has a lot of strong players and leaders. I think we can rely on them, but we also have young freshmen who are ready to step up,” Delgadillo said.
Madera South went head-to-head against a top Div. I team and nearly pulled off the upset.
The Stallions took the Golden Eagles to overtime where a lucky break by the visitors secured the victory.
“We played them tough. I think the girls had tired legs in the overtime period and Clovis West took advantage,” Delgadillo said. “But they played great and it is early in the season so they will get better.”
The Golden Eagles took the lead in the first half after a Clovis West forward sent a looping shot that got over Madera South keeper Melanie Rinder.
Rinder was not to be outdone again as she settled in and was a rock in the Stallions back line throughout the match.
“She did well tonight. The season is early but the girls came out with a strong effort and I hope we see it the rest of the year,” Delgadillo said.
The Stallions put themselves in a position to strike all evening. Despite trailing for a majority of the game 1-0, the Stallions showed the grit and passion that flows through the ranks at Madera South.
Iniguez proved to be the decisive factor as her goal came in the final moments of regulation to put the Stallions on level terms, forcing an overtime period.
Despite coming up short in the end, the Stallions faced Tuesday’s game like a playoff match. They took each touch with purpose and, to coach Delgadillo, that is the best takeaway, despite the loss.
