Paladin

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Christian Millan [Click to enlarge]

In a game filled with sloppy and lackluster play, the Viking women's soccer team needed a late second half goal to edge out Taft, 1-0, on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the LAC Soccer Field.

During the 81st minute of the half, Viking freshman forward Glenda Rodriguez, scored the game's winning goal after her initial shot was stopped by Taft goalie, Danielle Fitzgerald, when Rodriguez followed up the carom and kicked it in the net.

"My eyes lit up once I saw the ball freed up after she deflected it," Rodriguez said. "I didn't even think I was going to score, but once I saw an opportunity it was just an impulse to try to put the ball through the net. We had struggled all game long."

Aside from the lone goal, the offensive output for the game was sparse and slow moving during entire portions of the contest. Taft managed to only post six shot attempts at Viking goalie Marilyn Montez, which was her fifth shutout of the season.

"It was a scrappy and a rough game today, but we'll take it," said Viking Co-coach Melissa Douglas. "I saw some things out there that I liked and some that I didn't. Spacing and capitalizing on scoring opportunities are two aspects of the game we must improve on.

"A win's a win," Douglas added. "With today's victory and our 5-0 win over West Hills, they're good momentum builders as we move ahead."

Several times during the second half in particular, the Vikings blew potential scoring chances.

In a play that was indicative of their woeful offense, several Vikes were in a scrum no less than two feet from the net, but failed to score due to confusion and a lack of spacing. Taft's defense recovered and stopped LBCC from getting a decent shot on goal.

"Moving the ball around to each other is something we must improve on if we want to challenge for conference this season," said Viking midfielder Christina Durant.

After improving its record to 6-4-1, the Vikings are poised to begin South Coast Conference play. LBCC is scheduled to play El Camino Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. at the LAC Soccer Field.

"The mind state of our team heading into conference play is in the right place," said Vikes forward Brooke Ehinger.

On the men's side, The Vikings improved to 7-0-2 after beating Cuyamaca, 4-1, Sunday, Sept. 21 at the LAC Soccer Field.

In its prior game, the Vikings won a home game, 2-0, over San Diego City. The game was a rematch as both teams had previously met in August and tied at 0.

The Vikings advanced on the Knights terrain in the fifth minute leading to midfielder Warwick Newbold executing a left cross and scoring for the game's first goal. During the 32nd minute, forward Oumarou Idrissa put the Vikes ahead, 2-0.

The men will visit Santiago Canyon Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.

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