Libby Brymer runs up to congratulate goal scorer Emily Allen after the Royals’ first goal on Thursday.
Emily Allen scored two unanswered goals in Thursday’s Channel League clash with Dos Pueblos, lifting the Royals to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory on a bitter cold night at Warkentin Stadium.
It was San Marcos’ first win in their league opener since their CIF Championship team from 2005-06. And it’s the Royals first triumph over Dos Pueblos since February 4, 2010.
“There’s no words to express this. I’ve been waiting for this my entire high school career,” said Royals junior captain Hannah Harrah. “It’s a big rival for us and we just really wanted it this year and it showed on the field.”
Ady Willett scored the game’s first goal, giving Dos Pueblos a 1-0 lead 30 minutes into the first half.
Allen equalized three minutes before halftime and added the game-winner in the 57th minute. Allen knocked in a rebound after a shot from Olivia Jones.
“That’s why she’s Emily Allen. She’s up there because no matter what, left foot, right foot, in front of the goal, in back of the goal, she’s got it down,” said Royals head coach Macie Berlin.
The Chargers controlled possession for the majority of the final 20 minutes, creating a handful of equalizing possibilities.
“We changed our formation at the end just to hold onto that lead and it worked,” Berlin said.
Dos Pueblos still had several free kicks and throw ins in dangerous positions during the final minutes.
San Marcos’ Tasha Wood tries to slow down Dos Pueblos’ Lauren Van Valkenburgh in the midfield.
“It’s really scary. I get really nervous personally but our whole team just kind of kept it together,” Harrah, the Royals’ goalkeeper, said.
The Royals and the Santa Barbara Dons find themselves with an early lead in the Channel League standings.
“I think that San Marcos is a really good team and I think Santa Barbara is the same so we need to pick it up and regroup,” said Dos Pueblos head coach Jose Guerrero.
While it was the league opener for the Royals, the Chargers were coming off a tough draw with Buena where a victory was taken away in stoppage time.
Guerrero thought his team played well in the first half but didn’t create enough quality chances in the second 40 minutes.
“I mean we played well until they scored at 1-1, then our girls starting losing control of the game,” Guerrero said.
