By Matt Phelps
The defense of the girls soccer team last year didn’t give up a single goal in 600 minutes. It took just 30 minutes for the team to give up its first goal this season as the Kentridge Chargers defeated the Islanders 2-0 last Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Islander Stadium.
“We played well but we are still figuring things out,” said Mercer Island High School girls soccer head coach Bryan Mazza. “It doesn’t show on the scoreboard, but we took a massive step forward tonight.”
The Islanders lost to Seattle Prep 1-0 on a late goal on Friday.
The Mercer Island offense played a controlled game against Kentridge and dominated portions of the fist half, despite not being able to find the back of the net.
“We dominated the first 25 minutes of the first half,” said Mazza. “We had five minutes where the ball never left their penalty box. We had truck loads of opportunities tonight.”
Finishing those opportunities was the problem.
“This is a tough loss, but a good game,” said Islander Nance Hill. “It really shows us what we have to work on. We haven’t jelled yet, but we are getting there.”
Mercer Island outshot the Chargers 19-8 during the game and had eight corner kicks to none for its opposition.
“We are creating good opportunities,” said Hill. “I had one I should have finished but we were all just off a little tonight.”
Small mistakes were reflected on the score board.
“This is a smart team and they are going to figure out how to take advantage of those opportunities very fast,” said Mazza. “We just have so many new faces. But this is the reason we play these preseason games.”
The Chargers got on the board with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Kentridge scored again during the 63rd minute of the game. A hard shot in a one-on-one situation, hit the chest of Islander goalkeeper Katheryn Meagley and ricocheted back onto the field. The Kentridge player took advantage of the miscue and poked the ball to the right side of the goal for the easy rebound goal.
“We need to be tighter in the back and take less risks,” said Mazza. “But we really need to finish our opportunities.”
