Despite the Heat and missed calls, Lady Monarchs stay on top

Valley Soccer managed to shut out another opponent and continued to showcase their aggressiveness up and down the field.

By Nicholas Orozco, Sports Editor

Melanie Velasquez looking to ref as referees missed many foul calls (The Valley Star, Griffin O'Rourke)

Despite the delay of start time, scorching heat and constant missed foul calls, the Lady Monarchs returned home and defeated the Dons in shut out fashion, winning 4-0.

The Valley College soccer team (2-1-0 overall) had their second home game on Tuesday as they took on Santa Ana College (0-1-1 overall). The Monarchs were looking to continue their high aggressive starts and strong defensive gameplan.

“It is a great start for us” said associate Head Coach Melissa Fernandez “You never wanna start off peaking early.”

The blistering heat was a factor all day, delaying the original start time from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and causing the teams to move the game to their natural field behind the softball field due to the turf being too hot.

“Credit to the girls for fighting through it,” said Fernandez “It’s not fun playing on the grass”

As the Monarchs continued to dominate possession, the visiting Dons responded by playing with physical aggression. This was shown as two players from Santa Ana received yellow cards.

Even with the Dons’ two yellow cards, the referees did not call some blatant fouls against Santa Ana. The coaches and players on the sideline were very vocal with this as they wanted their players protected and did not want to risk injury.

“We can’t control the refs, we can argue all we want,” Fernandez said “They are only human”

In the first half, the ball was in Valleys favor as in the first 45 minutes they were aggressive enough to take 11 shots. With their defense only allowing the Dons to take four shots. With their 11 shots Valley was able to put one into the back of the net.

The first goal belonged to Freshman Angie Diaz with an assist from Caroline Torres in the 21st minute of the match.

Halftime came faster than usual, as water breaks were given while the clock was allowed to run.

“This heat can be difficult mentally,” said lead scorer this game Angie Diaz “The other team was going through the same thing and we just gotta step it up”

Coming back into the second half, the Dons let the match slip out of their hands, giving full control to the Monarchs. Valley remained aggressive, forcing Santa Ana to the edge of the cliff and keeping them on their toes.

In the 68th minute, Diaz took a long shot from outside the penalty box which paid off, as the ball bounced over the goalie completely and went into the net, making the score 2-0 for Valley.

The Monarchs did not let go of the gas pedal and continued their aggressive play. Following this goal in the next ten minutes, the defending team put another on the board.

Sophomore Lina Cardenas took the ball up the right side, passing by defenders to shoot the ball past the goalie and into the left side of the goal in the 78th minute.

Shortly after in the 80th minute, Valley scored another for good measure. Diaz assisted Freshman Melanie Velasquez, sending a through ball that allowed her slip past Dons’ defenders and get the ball into the net.

The final whistle was blown and the lady Monarchs cheered as they earned their second shutout and well scoring game.

“The results that come are from the talent we have,” said coach Fernandez.

The Lady Monarchs travel to Golden West College on Friday at 1:00 pm.