Soccer News: Xolas Improve to 3-2 After Week 5 Win at San Ysidro High
Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles women’s team earned three points in the standings with a 1-0 win against L.A. Premier FC Saturday in Week 5 of the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Itzel Gonzalez scored a first half goal to help the “Xolas” to its third win of the season at San Ysidro High. Club Tijuana is now 3-2 with nine points in the Pacific South League.
Inglis Hernandez found the net when she received a threw ball in the midfield, dribbled around the charging LA Premiere FC goalkeeper Lindsey Maricic and crossed a rolling shot into an empty net in the 21st minute. Club Tijuana beat LA Premier for its first shutout of the season with goalkeeper Itzel Gonzalez under goal.
“It was something special, after four games it’s the first time we didn’t get scored on,” Itzel Gonzalez said. “We’ve been working defensively specially not giving up and not having those unnecessary goals and it showed this game.”
The Xolas, the only Mexican club with a woman’s team in the United States, also played this game without its head coach on the bench. Assistant Coach Nancy Portillo Santiago managed the team. Santiago displayed an attacking team for most of the match. Portillo’s squad also played a stifling brand of defense in the second half. The visiting side pushed forward to look for an equalizing goal but that allowed Club Tijuana the open space for counter attacks.
“We have improved from a rocky start,” Portillo said. “Right now, I feel that the girls have found that confidence, they are playing the game we like to which is the passing game. At first it was difficult for them because it is a new league but now they have a lot more confidence and can move forward.”
Club Tijuana will continue in its first season in the WPSL, which occupies the second tier on the United States Women’s Soccer pyramid.
“I feel that this win gives us the confidence to look for one of the top two spots in the division that qualify to the Nationals,” Portillo said. “I really do think we will be there.”
Club Tijuana will play its sixth match June 14 against the San Diego SeaLions at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego.
XOLAS 1, LA PREMIER 0
SCORING:
1-0 -21st– Itzel Gonzalez- Tijuana
Rosters:
Club Tijuana: 1. Itzel Gonzalez, 3. Veronica Perez, 5. Ana Luz Lara 7. Yazmin Guzman, 8. Jazmin Aguas, 10. Karla Perez, 11. Carolina Jamarillo, 14. Nubia Ayala, 15. Patricia Gutierrez, 21. Inglis Hernandez, 24. Carla Rossi
LA Premier: 1. Lindsey Maricic, 4. Haelin King, 5. Breanna Joemans, 8. Sydney Johnson, 9. Flo Nichols, 10. Mariela Juarez, 11. Kendall Bietsch,12. Jazmin Jackson, 14. Connie Caliz, 16. Momah Early, 21. Alyssa Hinojosa
