The Santa Barbara High girls soccer team gave up two first half goals, but stormed back with two second half goals in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Rio Mesa.
After a tough first half for the Santa Barbara defense, the back line settled in and played more organized and disciplined to keep Rio Mesa out of the net for the remainder of the game.
Midway through the second half, Santa Barbara was awarded a corner kick. Forward Jackie Lopez put the ball on outside half Megan Flynn’s head, and Flynn put the ball in the back of the net to cut Rio Mesa’s lead in half.
Facing a one-gail deficit with just minutes remaining, senior captain and center back Karly Graf moved up from defense into the midfield to generate more offense for her team. Graf was fouled in the box and cooly converted the subsequent penalty box to tie the game 2-2.
“I was proud of the way the girls played and fought hard to get a point,” assistant coach Ryan Throop said.
Santa Barbara (2-0-1) continues its season on Thursday against Oxnard at home.
