Yuba City girls victim to Inderkum 'speed', fall 9-0
Jan. 17—In order to prepare for the speed displayed by the Inderkum High girls soccer team, Yuba City head coach Jerry Schicht set up a scrimmage with the YC boys team ahead of the team's Capital Valley Conference home bout with the No. 3 team in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
It turns out that it's hard to prepare for the actual game-speed displayed by Inderkum, as the Tigers used wings on each side all night to sprint up and down the numbers before finding gaps in the center to attack. It's not an overly complex game plan, according to Schicht, but with the talent that Inderkum displays, it made for a tough night for the Honkers.
Schicht's team fell at home, 9-0, Tuesday night, amid a steady rainstorm that made things even more difficult at Honker Field on the campus of YCHS.
Inderkum (17-1-1, 5-1 CVC) scored three times in the first half and five in the second. The ninth goal was aided, in part, by Yuba City's keeper helping the ball into the back of the net for an own goal.
"They (Inderkum) are fun to watch and the best team we have played this year with their speed and the way they move the ball," Schicht said. "To me the play was not complicated, they kick to either flag once they get the ball. The best way is to win the ball higher on the field, predict the 'through balls and don't leave the gaps. Your defense wants to play as compact as possible, which we did. We leave the girl on the outside alone to force them to move the ball in."
Yuba City (7-8-3, 0-5-1 CVC) will move forward today (Thursday) at Woodcreek (7-1, 6-0 CVC), the No. 2 team in the full SJS rankings and No. 1 in the CVC as of Jan. 17.
"I look forward to playing these teams, they are good lessons for the girls to see where they are," Schicht said. "In this league we have three or four teams in the top-20 every year, which is insane. You have Woodcreek and Inderkum in the top-10 and then Roseville in the top-30."
Schicht said this year's team is trying to gain experience at both ends of the field following the graduation of its top offensive weapon, Lorelai Miller. Miller scored 48 goals to finish No. 2 in the SJS a year ago.
Yuba City is back home Jan. 25 to take on River Valley (2-6-2, 0-5-1) for the final time this year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Honker Field on the campus of YCHS.
Lorelai Miller completes freshman year at Oakland
Miller appeared in 14 of Oakland University's games and 272 total minutes as a true freshman making her debut with the D-I program out of the Horizon League. Miller collected six shots — two on goal — during her first season.
Oakland, Michigan, was 5-6-7 overall and 3-2-5 in the Horizon League. Miller's new team competes mostly in the midwest, including a trip to Columbus to take on Ohio State at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
"She played well and made the most of her minutes," Schicht said. "We're really proud of her. A lot of the girls and myself follow her."
