By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Gustine girls’ soccer splits two-game matchups
ghs girls soccer 1-29
Gustine’s sophomore defender Isabella Cortez (left) and Denair’s sophomore midfielder Jazmin Padilla (right) go for possession during the first of Tuesday’s match.

With the end of the regular season looming, Gustine High School girls’ soccer team split their matchups against Delhi High School and Le Grand High School last week.

 

Gustine are now 9-4-2 overall and 6-1-1 in Southern League play this season. They are currently in second place in the league standings, trailing undefeated Denair.

 

Senior forward Shandel Aguilera continues to lead Gustine’s offense with three scored goals during their two-game stretch.

 

After playing their previous two games on the road at that point, Gustine returned to their home field where they won in a 2-0 shutout against Le Grand on Thursday.

 

Head coach Jose Gallardo gave his team some words of encouragement prior to Thursday’s contest after they came off a loss to Denair.

 

“It was a tough loss for us against Denair, but it is what it is,” Gallardo said. “I told them, ‘If you guys want to go somewhere, there’s a way to do it.’”

 

With the first half approaching near the end, it seemed that both teams were going to end the half scoreless. However, that changed when sophomore forward Kaylee Giles struck the ball through the left corner of Le Grand’s goalpost to give Gustine a 1-0 lead.

 

The second half was more or less similar to the first with the two Southern League teams missing clear opportunities to score at goal. Aguilera, who continues to be the catalyst for the Reds offensively, scored Gustine’s second goal of the match in the 73rd minute as they would go on to win.

 

48 hours before Thursday’s contest, Gustine had lost in a decisive 3-2 match against Denair at Jack W. Lytton Stadium.

 

Aguilera got things going for the Reds in the fourth minute as she scored a header off an inbound pass to lead, 1-0.

 

The Coyotes responded two minutes later after Denair sophomore midfielder Padilla struck the ball in the Red’s goalpost to tie the game.

 

With the majority of the second half being a defensive showcase from both teams, Denair took a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute following a penalty kick. Sophomore defender Sofia Soto fouled Padilla near the penalty box, resulting in Padilla scoring her second goal of the match.

 

With time Gustine had to find a way to tie the game and they did. Aguilera, who was guarded by multiple Denair defenders, was fouled which resulted in a penalty kick for her. With all the pressure on her, Aguilera calmly tied to the game.

 

As time got closer to expiring, it seemed that a draw was possible. However, what initially was hope turned into a disaster for Gustine in the final two minutes. Padilla was fouled near to penalty box by one of Gustine’s defenders which resulted in a penalty kick. With players and coaches standing on their respective sidelines anxiously, Padilla successfully converted the kick attempt that handed Gustine their loss in league play.

 

Gustine will travel to Stone Ridge Christian High School on Wednesday. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

 

Navtej Hundal is a freelance journalist in Stanislaus County.