Stallions capitalize on Tribe mistake
Madera South improved to 2-0 to open the 2018 season with a last-minute 2-1 win over the Tulare Union Tribe in a non-conference match at Memorial Stadium.
In only two games so far this season, the Stallions boys soccer team has scored seven goals and conceded just one. Their hot start to the season is not only indicative of how talented their core is, but it also serves as a reminder to the County/Metro Athletic Conference that Madera South is a contender.
Under the guidance of Enrique Garcia and Fernando Delgadillo, the Stallions have a 17-3 record at home since the 2016-17 season.
“Defensively, the team stuck together, and they got the win,” Garcia said.
David Vasquez and Jose Chavez kept Madera South’s form going with a goal apiece in Monday’s match. Vasquez and Christian Garcia, who was 1st team All-CMAC and the MVP of the All-Madera Tribune team last season, combined for a swift counter that opened the scoring.
Garcia galloped down the heart of the pitch before flicking a pass into the path of Vasquez, who ran beside Garcia down the right wing. Vasquez collected the pass and instantly took on his defender, forcing his way into the penalty area. Vasquez struck the ball hard and low into the bottom right corner for the opening goal.
The Tribe responded with a goal in the 33rd minute by Marco Jasso.
The game went into the break all even at one, but after an energetic start, the Stallions took a step back.
“We started getting lazy and not wanting to put pressure,” Garcia said. “We got frustrated with the fact that we had high pressure early in the first half and the second half, we fell off.”
Much like the first half, the Stallions and Tribe were deadlocked. Both talented teams but couldn’t find the right formula, until the final minutes began to tick away.
The Tribe teed off on Madera South’s goal. Three consecutive shots either hit the crossbar or barely whizzed over the goal post.
That didn’t stop the Stallions though. In fact, that only increased their urgency.
All wouldn’t be lost for Madera South. Joseph Rivera dribbled down the right wing, opening a pocket of space inside the opponent final third just as the final minute was upon the match. Rivera whipped in a spinning cross, hoping for a fellow Stallion to connect on a header.
Although the Stallions were unable to get to the ball first, Tribe keeper Ben Pedersen couldn’t corral the ball, allowing Chavez to knock the ball loose and into the goal. Young Stallions pick up first win A change in venues and plenty of offense helped the Madera South Stallions girls soccer team to its first victory over the season.
The Stallions, who usually play in Memorial Stadium, played under the lights on the Madera South campus and picked up a 4-0 victory over the Chowchilla Tribe on Monday night.
With a roster of 10 freshmen, six sophomores and just three seniors, the Stallions got goals from three of the freshman — Brianna Maciel, Celeste Dorado and Emily Santos — and one sophomore — Anahi Casillas — in the win.
Maciel got the ball off a free kick from Casillas to the right side. Maciel sent the ball to the opposite corner and it went high off the goalkeeper’s hands and into the goal for the lead.
The Stallions added to their lead in the 30th minute. Casillas got the ball on the left ater a throw in. She settled the ball and launched a high ball on goal. The ball floated over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Freshman goalkeeper Melani Rinder helped close the first half with a 2-0 lead after catching a ball high on a bounce with an attacker closing in.
Three minutes into the second half, the Stallions added to their lead. American Vasquez got the ball in the middle and sent a pass to the left. Dorado one-touched the ball over the keeper for a 3-0 lead.
With five minutes left in the match, the Stallions put in the final goal. On a through ball to the front, Santos battled with the sweeper. She got the edge and put a foot on the ball and sent it past the goalkeeper inside the left post for the 4-0 lead.
The Stallions continue play in the Harold S. Young Tournament today at Buchanan-Fresno.
