Lady Yellowjackets tame the Rancho Verde Mustangs, 2-1

Defense controls backfield and Anna Bailey scores two goals in non-league match

Goalkeeper+Joleena+Silberman+puts+Rancho+Verde+back+on+their+heels+with+this+deep+kick+to+midfield+during+the+first+half+of+their+match.

Goalkeeper Joleena Silberman puts Rancho Verde back on their heels with this deep kick to midfield during the first half of their match.

Colton, CA—With a few players out of town for the Winter Break, the Lady Yellowjackets soccer team stuck to its game plan—solid defense and timely scoring—defeating the Rancho Verde Mustangs in a non-league match, 2-1.

Sophomore forward Anna Bailey scored a goal in each half for the Yellowjackets on assists from Laura Yanez at 9:00 in the first half and Aracely Reyes at 12:47 in the second.

However, it was the Yellowjacket defense that kept this game from becoming their fourth loss of the season.

“Defense is solid,” head coach Manny Flores said. “They have held us in every game.”

Senior Center Back Justine Estrada led the defense, who kept the midfield under control, especially during the second half as Rancho Verde took eight shots on goal. And junior Samara Barbosa played with a cool head in the frantic final minutes, stopping two Rancho Verde attacks.

After the game, the charismatic Estrada had a lot of praise for her team’s performance. “This game we were on top of it,” she said. “We were anticipating the passes, we were making sure we were first to the ball, and we were making sure as defenders that our passes were good.”

The Yellowjacket goalkeepers also held down the net, as junior Joleena Silberman had two saves in the first half, and senior Zamantha Moctezuma had four in the second.

The only Rancho Verde goal came on a rare Yellowjacket mistake at 30:45 in the second half, when sophomore Marlene Mateo raced in for a goal on an assist from junior Jimena Arango.

Even with the error, coach Flores liked what he saw from his team. “I like the fight,” he said. “We were forcing the ball at times, but we looked nice.”

The team has a lot to feel confident about as this brings their record to 6-3-1. “I feel like we’ll make it to CIF,” Samara Barbosa said.

Now the Lady Yellowjackets get to enjoy the winter break before traveling on January 7 to square off against Perris High.