The Coronado High School girls’ soccer team caused a major upset on Feb. 1 when they beat the previously undefeated Patrick Henry Patriots.
“We just went in, decided to keep it casual and not be serious, which took the pressure off ourselves because that was the first game we won in 10 games,” said senior defender Taryn O’Halloran.
The Islanders had two points on the scoreboard by the end of the first half, both made by sophomore midfielder Sydney Dunn.
They then held off the Patriot’s offense until the second half, and broke their losing streak with a final 2-1 win over Patrick Henry.
The Islanders prepare for playoffs
Looking ahead to playoffs, Head Coach Miguel Gutierrez said the team is hoping to hone in on the skills that secured the win for the Feb. 1 upset.
“What we are trying to improve on going forward is the attacking – the ability to score more goals as early as possible so that we don’t have to come back,” said Gutierrez. “Also, limiting fouls. A lot of the goals that teams score on us have been because of our mistakes and creating fouls that are not necessary.”
The team stood at a 4-10-1 record, tying their last game of the regular season with a 0-0 score against Point Loma High School on Feb. 8. Their current standing has led them to redirect their vision for the remainder of the season.
“The goals that we set going into the season were to obviously compete, have fun, have team chemistry and hopefully win league – but with the results that we are getting, that’s not going to happen,” said Gutierrez. “So now, our main focus is to go into playoffs and hopefully win the whole thing. We have the ability and talent to do that; Patrick Henry speaks for itself.”
Seniors hope to finish out strong
Captains Giana Quijano, Ava Worthy and O’Halloran are going into playoffs with that same intention of winning. As three of the seven seniors on the team, Gutierrez’s hope is for the girls to make the most of what’s left in the season.
“We want to continue competing and hopefully win playoffs, but also keep that enjoyment on and off the field,” said Gutierrez. “Especially for the seniors, it’s important for them to enjoy their last couple games and minutes here at Coronado.”
