Central Union High's Kristina Bruce kicks a cross against Calexico High on Friday in Calexico. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO) |
CALEXICO — The Central Union High girls’ soccer team set the tone early, beating Calexico High, 3-1, here Friday to clinch the Imperial Valley League title and the inaugural girls’ Copa del Valle.
The Spartans snapped the Bulldogs’ three-year IVL title streak.
“Finally, I got back the IVL title like we were wanting a long time ago,” Central girls’ head coach Ramon Lopez said.
For Lopez, winning the inaugural girls’ Copa del Valle, named the Noujaim Cup in honor of former Central girls and boys soccer coach Nabil Noujaim, was an honor.
“That meant a lot to me,” Lopez said. “He’s my coach, he will always be my coach and what a great way to do something for him.”
The Spartans kicked off the scoring early with a goal by freshman Baylee Vincent with a header off a corner kick in just the fifth minute of the game.
In the 21st minute, the Spartans got another goal by junior Desiree Estrada to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
It wasn’t until the 23rd minute of the game that the Bulldogs had their first shot on goal, a shot by junior Ramona Arguilez that was blocked by Central senior goalkeeper Jazmin Valenzuela.
Central senior Kristina Bruce scored the goal of the game in the 29th minute of the game to give Central a 3-0 lead at half time.
Calexico took the momentum the final 20 minutes of the game, pressuring Central in its half of the field.
With less than two minutes left in the game, Calexico senior Montserrat De Dios was pushed from behind by a Central defender inside Central’s goalkeeper box, drawing a penalty kick.
De Dios scored the goal for the Bulldogs.
“Central, they played well, they had a great season, there’s not much to say,” Calexico head coach Eric Lopez said. “They were the best team this year … we’ll be better-prepared next year.”
Central improves to 11-0 in IVL with one game left in league, at Palo Verde Valley at 4 p.m. Thursday in Blythe. Calexico (8-2 IVL) will face the Yellowjackets on Tuesday and then Imperial High on Thursday.
The Spartans snapped the Bulldogs’ three-year IVL title streak.
“Finally, I got back the IVL title like we were wanting a long time ago,” Central girls’ head coach Ramon Lopez said.
For Lopez, winning the inaugural girls’ Copa del Valle, named the Noujaim Cup in honor of former Central girls and boys soccer coach Nabil Noujaim, was an honor.
“That meant a lot to me,” Lopez said. “He’s my coach, he will always be my coach and what a great way to do something for him.”
The Spartans kicked off the scoring early with a goal by freshman Baylee Vincent with a header off a corner kick in just the fifth minute of the game.
In the 21st minute, the Spartans got another goal by junior Desiree Estrada to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
It wasn’t until the 23rd minute of the game that the Bulldogs had their first shot on goal, a shot by junior Ramona Arguilez that was blocked by Central senior goalkeeper Jazmin Valenzuela.
Central senior Kristina Bruce scored the goal of the game in the 29th minute of the game to give Central a 3-0 lead at half time.
Calexico took the momentum the final 20 minutes of the game, pressuring Central in its half of the field.
With less than two minutes left in the game, Calexico senior Montserrat De Dios was pushed from behind by a Central defender inside Central’s goalkeeper box, drawing a penalty kick.
De Dios scored the goal for the Bulldogs.
“Central, they played well, they had a great season, there’s not much to say,” Calexico head coach Eric Lopez said. “They were the best team this year … we’ll be better-prepared next year.”
Central improves to 11-0 in IVL with one game left in league, at Palo Verde Valley at 4 p.m. Thursday in Blythe. Calexico (8-2 IVL) will face the Yellowjackets on Tuesday and then Imperial High on Thursday.
