The San Marcos girls soccer was missing seven players due to injury, but played two close games at the Santa Maria Tournament and ended the day with a 3-2 loss against Arroyo Grande, and a 2-2 tie against Cabrillo.
The Royals began the day in an all too familiar position as they a faced a 2-0 deficit to Arroyo Grande, who they had lost to by the same score just nine days ago.
Junior Ana Otanez, who was pulled up from the junior-varsity squad for the tournament, showed San Marcos’ resiliency as she narrowed the margin to 2-1.
After halftime, Arroyo Grande scored to go up 3-1, but freshman forward Emily Allen kept the Royals in the game with the team’s second goal.
“Our midfield stepped in the second half,” head coach Macie Berlin said. “It is and has been our weakest area of play, especially with the injuries.”
In the second match of the day, Allen continued her goal-scoring form and put the Royals one goal up on Cabrillo early in the game.
The first half ended 1-1, and Otanez got her second goal of the day after play resumed. San Marcos was unable to hold off the Cabrillo attacked and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Royals will continue play tomorrow in the tournament with games against St. Joseph and San Luis Obispo.
