Girls’ soccer concludes the season with loss against Monrovia

By Vaughn Huelsman

Staff Writer

Photo by Stephanie Kim

Girls’ soccer struggled with many of its players’ injuries and inconsistent rosters throughout the season. Despite issues of maintaining a stable starting lineup, the squad managed to improve upon last season’s bleak record of 2-7-1. The 2016 team finished with a record of 4-5-1 in league and 6-10-2 overall.

The Tigers fell to Monrovia in their final match on Wednesday, February 10. The team lacked five key starters due to various injuries, but the South Pas played with a high level of intensity, not allowing the RHL champions an easy win. South Pasadena and Monrovia fought a physical battle on the field, with both squads preventing any goals for a majority of the half. The Tigers conceded two goals, one midway through the first half and a second at the beginning of the next half.

South Pasadena rallied late in the game, but Monrovia proved to be too strong of an opponent to overcome. The Tigers took the ball up the field, but one of the passes flew too far, nearly going out of bounds. However, senior midfielder Lauren Richards hustled down the field to retrieve the ball. She stopped the overshot pass, dribbled around a defender and tapped it to the nearby sophomore midfielder Emily Dunn. Dunn took the shot and hit the far post to put the Tigers one goal closer. The time wound down, and South Pasadena failed to put in another goal before the final whistle blew.

The team failed to qualify for CIF, but has high hopes for the next season. Underclassmen compose a majority of the squad, and provide hope for a strong future for girls’ soccer in South Pasadena.