Julia Farner cut through the chaos for Cate on Friday, punching in the game’s only goal to lift the Rams over Laguna Blanca, 1-0, in a non-league game.
Farner was able to put a well-placed shot into the goal despite a mad scramble going on all around her in the penalty area. Similiar situations for both teams later in the game produced stress but no more goals.
“Scrappy is the word that best describes our work today. We did not play pretty soccer, but we did play with heart and intensity, and took pride in wearing the Cate uniform,” said Rams head coach Lisa Holmes.
Emma Liberman was active earning her third shutout of the season for the Rams.
Laguna Blanca head coach Kevin Shertzer thought his team played well after an admittedly sluggish start. Phoebe Madsen’s throw-ins were dangerous and Brooklyn Kinsler hit the post with a potential game-tying header in the second half.
“We played the first 10 minutes nervous and without purpose and paid the price of going behind,” Shertzer said. “From then on, I felt we were in charge of a match that strangely didn’t produce many quality opportunities for either team. While we kept the ball mostly in their half, their defense played excellent.
“I don’t feel a loss was a fair result, but that is the cruelty of soccer sometimes.”
Cate takes on Grace Brethren next on Wednesday.
