Monterey's 'constant pressure' leads team past Lubbock-Cooper in girls soccer
With the number of chances the Monterey girls soccer team had Friday, coach Jarod Loffler was sure one would find the back of the net.
One did, and that's all it took.
In a crowded box, Alejandra Gaytan deflected a clearance attempt for the deciding goal in a 1-0 win over Lubbock-Cooper at Plainsmen Field. The score in the final minute before halftime came after an initial block by Cooper goalkeeper Jazlynn Villegas.
To Loffler, it was a fitting way for the Plainsmen to break through.
"The (Cooper) girl was trying to clear it and (Gaytan) just stuck her foot in the way and it went in," Loffler said. "It was just great effort. They're not gonna let them play out and clear it. Just constant pressure. It was just out-hustling them today I think was the difference."
Pirates coach Bridgett Rogers didn't quite disagree. She said her team played an "uncharacteristic" game in which it couldn't maintain possession and made too many passes in its defensive half.
"Monterey definitely came to play a tough and hard game like they normally do," Rogers said. "They're very physical, very fast, and that was very evident in that game. That's something that I told the girls to prepare for, but (the problem was) coming out and not really playing our style of soccer."
Monterey (7-5-1, 1-1 district) out-shot Cooper 19-8, keeping the Pirates from any offensive rhythm. The Plainsmen did so with a depleted roster, too. Monterey entered the game down three players due to injury and lost three more during the match.
"I trust every single one of these girls," Loffler said. "They come out and they work. I've known them for years now, even the freshmen. I know what they can do, so I feel comfortable putting any of them out there. I know a lot of people get stuck on (who's) starting and coming off the bench, but each and every week players get the opportunity to step up. And a lot of them did that today. Super proud."
Both squads now sit at 1-1 in District 4-5A. Coronado beat Monterey on Tuesday, while the Pirates beat Abilene Cooper. Abilene Wylie knocked off reigning district champion Abilene High as well, showing the league's depth and competitiveness.
"Top to bottom, man, it's just tough," Loffler said. "Unfortunately it's gonna be just like last year, some really, really good team will not make playoffs. That just is a testament to how tough the district is. I mean, it's wide open."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Monterey girls soccer tops Lubbock-Cooper in district game
