Bishop Diego’s Annalise Morando splits Carpinteria defenders Megan Durflinger, left, and Kelsie Bryant. Morando scored the Cardinals’ goal on a penalty kick in the second half.
Carpinteria and Bishop Diego battled to a 1-1 tie in a season-opening girls soccer match on Monday.
Lesly Zapata gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute when she intercepted an errant goal kick and hammered home a shot from 20 yards.
?We stayed in control for the next 15 minutes and we were moving the ball around well,? Carpinteria coach Charles Bryant said.
Bishop Diego stepped up its game and starting winning 50-50 balls and controlling possession. The Cardinals tied the score on a penalty kick by Annalise Morando in the 75th minute.
“We had a lot of great chances,” Bishop coach Tessa Binkley said. “Our returners came back strong this year and we are so excited about our new players coming in. We have a strong team.”
Coach Bryant praised the play of Kelsie Bryant, Zapata and Alexa Benitez in the field and freshman goalkeeper Ava Gropper.
?She was solid and did not give up any second chances to the Cardinals,? said coach Bryant.
