Casa Grande girls shock Maria Carrillo

What had been a so-so season for the Casa Grande High School girls soccer team turned awesome last week when the Gauchos knocked off defending North Coast Section champion Maria Carrillo, 2-0.|

What had been a so-so season for the Casa Grande High School girls soccer team turned awesome last week when the Gauchos knocked off defending North Coast Section champion Maria Carrillo, 2-0.

Although the Gauchos and Pumas have played some extremely exciting games over the past few years, including several overtime contests and meetings in the North Coast Section playoffs, it has been at least four years since Casa has beaten Carrillo.

Maria Carrillo hosted the Gauchos with a 10-2 record, but looking a bit vulnerable after losing its previous match to Montgomery, 3-0.

Casa Grande badly needed a win to keep alive its NCS playoff hopes.

The upset win evened the Casa record at 7-7-1 and improved its North Bay League record to 4-5-1. The game against Maria Carrillo was scoreless at the half before Casa rallied for goals by Meghan Hanley and Mia Santander in the second half with Angelina Gonzalez providing an assist.

The Gauchos’ strong defense in front of goalie Cassie Cailon did the rest.

“We’re peaking at the right time,” said Casa Grande coach Vinnie Cortezzo. “We lost a lot of really close games in the first part of the year, but we’ve started playing really well.

“That was a great win over Maria Carrillo. We needed it to keep our playoff hopes alive. After we got ahead, I told the team, just go play five minutes at a time.”

Cortezzo said part of the reason for the Gauchos improved play was the move of Hanley to a wing spot where she could become more of an offensive threat.

Another player who has sparked the Gauchos is Lauren Fridlander, a four-year varsity starter who has contributed not only outstanding play, but also team leadership.

Another senior, Elizabeth Martin, is a tenacious defender, while Gizela Carranza, a junior, directs the offense. “A lot of our attack goes through her,” says Cortezzo, adding the Gauchos’ goal is not only to reach the playoffs, but to do well once they’re in.

“We know that Montgomery and Maria Carrillo have very good teams, but I feel that on any given day we can beat them,” he said.

There was no let down for the Gauchos after the big win as they blanked Rancho Cotate, 6-0, Tuesday night.

Hanley, Cassie Walsh and Santander eeach scored two goals in the romp. Sarah Ramstadt, Freilander, Stephanie Martiez, Annie Gallo and Carranza added assists.

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