Rosemont’s Girls Soccer team finished the season as Invincibles, with an incredible record of six wins, zero losses, and zero draws. This feat was achieved after a stunning second-half comeback from one goal down in their recent match against Wilson.
The game started quickly, with Wilson immediately pressuring Rosemont. Wilson had many shots on target and many misses during the first half of the game. Rosemont’s goalkeeper, Yareli Polanco had to make a multitude of saves, including a great reaction save off a half-volley shot.
The Spartans slowly battled back and began creating chances of their own. Rosemont finally broke the deadlock and scored off a corner. Lacey White superbly controlled the delivery, and when the Wilson defenders gave her a little bit of space, she didn’t miss her opportunity. The high and powerful shot went above the goalkeeper’s head, and Rosemont had the lead.
Wilson wasted no time after kickoff, launching an onslaught of passing and dribbling which allowed the home team to push forward. Eventually, one of the Wilson attackers broke through, and an ample shot from the right side of the penalty box hastily rolled into the bottom corner for the equalizer. A few minutes later, the halftime whistle sounded, and the score was even, at one to one.
As the halftime break ended, and the players took the field, Wilson once again launched an attacking barrage in the first few seconds. Their winger dribbled past multiple Rosemont defenders and attempted to send a cross into the box. Unfortunately for the Spartans, it curved directly into the goal, and there was nothing the keeper could do. Wilson’s lucky goal gave them the lead.
The Knights were making home advantage count, as the drums from their band lit up the atmosphere of the pitch. Another near-successful attack was launched, as the blue and gold forward dribbled past the Rosemont goalkeeper, who charged at the opponent. Their shot was low and soft, so consequently it was cleared off the goal line by the Rosemont defenders. This incident sparked a flame in the team, and for the rest of the game, they limited Wilson’s attacking chances and maxed out their own.
To start coming back, Rosemont started by taking more shots and being more aggressive with passing. Midfielders fed through balls to the strikers and wingers, and the former dribbled into the box while the latter sent in crosses. The Spartans
won corner after corner and kept pushing for the equalizer. Around this time, Sabrina Lee carried the ball forward and took a shot far outside the box. It was a powerful attempt, so even though it went straight at the goalkeeper, it slipped out of her hands, and slowly bounced towards the goal, with all the players looking. Rosemont had their equalizer, and they only needed one more goal for victory.
It was clear that Rosemont wanted the three points more than the Knights since they immediately started attack after attack. With only a few minutes left in the game, Bella Pardo made a skillful dribble past multiple Wilson defenders and sent a low trivela to Lacey White, who easily slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. The linesman had other plans, though, and the goal was disallowed for being offside. It was only a few inches that kept both the teams level.
Rosemont had a few more golden opportunities, which were ultimately saved or shot just wide. Within the final 40 seconds of the game, a concluding chance for Rosemont would lead the game to its end. A cross at torso height was directed to Penelope Esquivel. Her redirection of the ball sent it straight into the bottom corner, and the celebrations were wild. Wilson produced nothing fruitful out of the few seconds left, and Rosemont enjoyed their three-two victory over Wilson. The soccer team once again finished their season with no losses.
