Weiser girls win season opener 5-2 over Ontario

The Lady Wolverines dominated the Ontario Tigers in their season opener on Thursday, with both the JV and varsity teams picking up wins.
 Returning varsity player Marissa Moyle made two high-arching goals early in the game after tremendous pressure and several shots-on-goal from Rhianna Soliz and Brooklyn Warner.
 Throughout the first half, Weiser’s mid-fielders, Jakaela Ruiz, Elle Svedin, Kendyll Spencer, Jenifer Juarez, and Macy Maloney, put tremendous offensive pressure on Ontario and repeatedly counter-attacked.  
 At the 24-minute mark, Andrea Bouvia scored a goal by faking Ontario’s keeper then putting the ball in the bottom right side of the goal after receiving a great pass across the middle from Soliz.  
 Shortly before halftime, Ontario scored a long, high goal bringing the score to 3-1 at the half.  
 Just a few minutes into the second half Spencer sent in a beautiful corner kick which Moyle was able to skillfully head in for a goal.  
 Weiser’s back-fielders, Makaela Ruiz, Kaiya Sanchez, Shalee Huggins, Monse Perez, and Shayla Kelley, controlled the middle of the field and pushed up regularly as part of Weiser’s attacks. They showed strong teamwork by covering for each other, and communicating well.
 At one point, Sanchez came from her position to save a goal right on the goal line. Weiser’s varsity goal keeper, Melissa Sandoval, made nine saves.  
 With approximately 10 minutes remaining in the game, Moyle scored her fourth goal shortly following Ontario’s second goal, which brought the final score to 5-2 in Weiser’s favor.
 Weiser head coach Bernie Weldon was pleased with the way the girl’s worked together for the victories.
 “We are extremely happy about the way our team played in our season opener. The players were excited and anxious to compete in our first game after working very hard in our pre-season drills and exercises. Both our JV and varsity teams had tremendous energy and quick starts.”
 What coaches Courtois, Gomez, Trine, and Weldon were most thrilled about is how positive the players were and how enthusiastically they supported each other throughout both games.
 Weldon stated, “This is the type of team culture we have been working on since our camp back in June. If we can keep this up, we are going to have a lot of fun this season, and win a few games as well!”
 In the JV game, Melodee Cathey scored the first goal at the 5-minute mark, along with the assistance of offensive pressure from Alyssa Estes, Ana Ramirez, and Josie Cervantes.
 Sixteen minutes into the second half, SeAnna Jones scored the first goal of her high school career by utilizing great passing from Anaya Reyes, Gabriela Cazarez, and Kathy Rivera.
 Cathey then scored her second goal of the game at the 44 minute mark. Assistance from Gabi Palmer, who was playing in her first high school soccer game, and Samantha Despain, who was one of last year’s top scorers, helped make the play happen.
 The back-field players, Erika Lazaro, Mecarte Olsen, Brie Barbot, Eva Lazaro, and Quincy Clary, did a great job clearing out and stopping Ontario’s attacks with only one goal allowed late in the game.  Weiser’s goal keeper, Kristy Bake, made 13 saves.
 Playing solid minutes with focused effort and positive attitudes in their first high school soccer games were Roma Walker, Kate Davies, Chloe Estes, Vicki Wyss, and Emilie Ixta. Final JV score was 3-1 in Weiser’s favor.