RSS Feed
|
|||||||
|
Musketeers marching on
The MHS girls' soccer team pulled off its second playoff upset in a row on Wednesday, this time beating Corona Del Mar 2-1 in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs. The matchup was the program's first home playoff game since 2000. "We take a lot of pride in this win," head coach Frank Paletta said. "We have many girls that could have played at private schools instead of here at Moorpark. "This is kind of like a reward for them staying here. It's a big accomplishment for this team and this city." Playing on the favorable side of a stiff wind in the first half, the Musketeers were able to utilize their speed from the opening minute. In fact, Moorpark didn't allow the ball into its defensive zone until the seventh minute.
Although Moorpark was aided by the wind, Frank Paletta admitted after the game that he wanted to go the other way in the first half. "We actually lost the coin flip," Frank Paletta said. "This season we usually scored more goals against the wind, so that's what I wanted our team to do in the first half. Turns out it was our destiny to go the other way." Although Kaitlin Paletta contributed to the team's first goal, she injured her right foot minutes later, forcing her to leave the game temporarily. While Paletta sat, the Musketeer defense continued to hold the Sea Kings at bay. MHS goalkeeper Alisa Reich, who was filling in for the injured Miranda Rodriquez, finished the day with four saves. "I'm very proud of the way Alisa played today," Frank Paletta said. "She's only a sophomore, but she definitely stepped up and made some great saves for us." With Kaitlin Paletta beginning the second half on the bench, the Musketeers wasted little time adding to their 1-0 lead. In the 43rd minute, sophomore Kat Prati scored on a breakaway after great passes from Sophie Spivack and Leann Aceves left her in a oneonone situation with the Sea King goalkeeper. "I didn't think I would get to the ball at first," Prati said. "Once I got to it, I knew I would score. When I saw the ball go in the net, I was so happy." Moorpark kept a two-goal lead until the 67th minute when Corona Del Mar finally got on the scoreboard with a goal by sophomore Hayley Raguse. It was at this point when Kaitlin Paletta re-entered the contest. "When my daughter put her boots back on, that's when I got a little worried about the game," Frank Paletta said. "I believe it was the right thing to do, though. She's got great heart, and along with her leadership she brings calmness to this team. She settles everyone else down, including me." For the majority of the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Sea Kings held the ball in the Musketeers' zone. Still, MHS wouldn't let up on defense. "The last 10 minutes seemed to take forever," Prati said. "It was really hectic. We were doing anything we could to get the ball on the other side of the field. The most important thing was to not panic." Moorpark finally got the ball in the Sea Kings' zone for the last two minutes and continued to keep the ball in the corner of the field. When the final whistle was blown, the Musketeers were ecstatic. "This feels so good," Prati said. "It's also great to win in front of our home fans; they really made a difference." The Moorpark faithful will get another game to show their spirit as the Musketeers will host Temecula Valley today at 3 p.m. in the quarterfinals. Temecula is the No. 1 seed out of the Southwestern League and was last year's Division II champion. "I don't know much about them this year, but I know they were the champions last season, and you don't get that for nothing," Frank Paletta said. "They've basically walked through the playoffs so far. We're expecting them to be the toughest team we've played all year." Frank Paletta is hoping that three of his top players- Rodriquez, Jessica Dingman and Kaitlin Paletta- will be healed from their injuries by game time. According to the coach, both Dingman and Kaitlin Paletta visited the doctor Thursday. |
for larger version       |
||||||
)
)