U12 girls kickers shut out Foothill for 2-0 victory
MORGAN HILL – The Orchard Valley Tornadoes took on the Cyberrays in a rescheduled game Saturday. The U12 Class 3 girls competitive soccer squad started the game strong – putting constant pressure on the Rays for a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
The Tornadoes scored early in the first half when Taylor Johnson fed fellow striker Amanda Kline with a pretty pass to the right wing, and Kline banged the shot into the corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead. It looked like the Tornadoes might put the game away early, as the OV midfield of Amanda Whitling, JC Clayton, Bella Comin, Lexi MacPhail, Mary Thatcher, and Alex Seda controlled the play throughout the first half – keeping the ball in the attack zone for the bulk of the half. However, the Tornadoes were unable to score, and it remained 1-0 at the break.
The local kickers kept up the offensive pressure in the second half, but were still unable to put anything more in the net. The Tornadoes’ defense, although weakened by the absence of Stephanie Wan, kept the Cyberrays at bay. Defenders Cloey LemMon, Lindsay Pund, and Sarah Block, along with the rest of the Tornadoes, put on another fine defensive display.
Clarissa Hammer saved a probable goal early in the second half when she ran down a Cyberray on a breakaway, and cleanly separated her from the ball. Goalie Nichole Downing made two excellent saves (one on a nearly uncontested shot) and handled several other chances flawlessly to preserve the shutout.
The Cyberrrays had one last gasp when they were awarded a penalty kick from about 25 yards out with only seconds to play, but JC Clayton blocked the kick away from the goal, and the Tornadoes held on for the shutout victory.
With the win, the Tornadoes pushed their record to a league leading 4-0. The Tornadoes have a key matchup next Sunday as they travel to play the West Valley Divas, who currently reside in second place in the league.
