Eagle girls soccer starts season with three wins in a row

The Eagles had a competitive match with 6A Reynolds on Tuesday in Troutdale, where coach Kevin Haspela said that despite HRV controlling the ball at the start of the game, the Raiders’ defense did a good job stifling HRV’s attack.

“Our team got frustrated and Reynolds took control of the game near the end of the first half,” he said. “We regrouped at halftime and discussed the mental challenge of continuing to stay positive and being patient with our game. We came out strong, scoring two minutes after the start of the second half. Cielo Rivera dribbled by three players and slotted a through ball to Sindy Magana, who followed through to score on a point-blank shot which was initially blocked.”

In the 55th minute, sophomore forward Makena Zorza received a ball at midfield, turned, and found Magana again charging into the box for her second goal. Reynolds got one back in the 68th minute on a loose ball in the box which was finished by senior Alondra Maldonado.

Two minutes later, Hood River scored again. This time, senior defender Kara Kiyokawa crossed the ball into the box, junior middie Kenia Ramirez flicked the ball which the keeper bobbled, and junior forward Halle Campos pounced to finish out the scoring and help produce a 3-1 victory for HRV. The Eagles’ keeper, junior Vanessa Silva, wasn’t tested much and recorded just two saves on the day.

“The team played smart today and seized opportunities to score,” Haspela said after the game. “In our opening match we had trouble getting shots on goal. Our focus was to do so 10 times or more and the team earned 15 shots on goal. I was happy to see them stay patient and rebound from early frustration.”

Thursday at Rex Putnam

“We knew this game would be intense because of our history of competitive matches with Putnam and the last time we visited was our quarterfinal loss last fall,” Haspela said. “The girls came in focused and hungry. They played composed, intense soccer and maintained excellent possession, especially in the second half. Putnam did a great job of making the field small with their defensive movement. Our team was patient with it and worked diligently as a team to break their pressure and find space to move the ball.”

Kiyokawa and Jenissa Ramirez led HRV’s back line to shut down counter attack runs, and worked to develop the attack. Silva was once again well-protected for most of the evening and made two saves. The first goal for HRV came from Rivera, who scored on a long shot from more than yards out in the 25th minute. Haspela said the team played well together — moving the ball efficiently and staying calm despite strong defensive effort by the Putnam team. “You could feel that in the second half HRV was wearing them down,” he said.

Sophomore middie/forward Claire Davies served a corner kick which found its way over the goalkeeper and into the far corner to put HRV up 2-0 in the 70th minute. for the final score

Haspela said that junior middie Mona Diaz had a “special night” Thursday. “After suffering a season-ending knee injury last November in our quarterfinal match, Mona was able to step back onto the same field after surgery and many months of rehabilitation to lead our team and put in 75 minutes of excellent play,” he said. “She was the support in the middle which helped our team work as a unit.”

HRV has a challenging schedule this coming week, playing three games in five days. The Eagles play Central Catholic at home on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., then hosts Summit Thursday at 4:30 p.m. HRV then travels to Albany on Saturday to play the West Albany Bulldogs at noon.