Warriors begin girls soccer league season with draw, win

Fallbrook High School's girls soccer team began Valley League play with a 1-1 tie Jan. 17 at Escondido and a 1-0 victory Jan. 19 at Valley Center.

The results gave the Warriors a 5-5-5 overall season record, not including the 3-3 tie in the varsity-alumni game Dec. 30 in which current coach Sergio Garcia coached the varsity and 2012-13 to 2015-16 coach Miguel Trejo returned to coach the alumni.

Escondido held a 1-0 halftime lead Jan. 17. "Kept composure but still had the urgency to score," said Garcia.

The equalizer came with eight minutes left in the game. Hannah Diverde took a free kick which hit the crossbar. Nikel Villa followed up and kicked the rebounded ball into the back of the net.

"We're satisfied with the draw," said Garcia. "It was kind of a last-minute goal to tie it up."

The tie was the fourth in a row for Fallbrook, who preceded league play with a 0-0 match Jan. 6 at Del Lago Academy, a 2-2 contest Jan. 11 at home against Mission Vista, and a 0-0 result Jan. 13 at Canyon Crest.

The Warriors' Jan. 4 home game against Escondido Charter was a 4-2

triumph, and the Warriors remained unbeaten for Calendar Year 2017 with the win over Valley Center.

"Valley Center is always a tough opponent, always a good game," said Garcia. "The girls performed well. They're working hard and came out with a 'W' on the road."

The game's only goal was scored in the first half when Karina Bulli took a long throw-in from Madi Reynoso and then placed the ball into the net.

Fallbrook goalkeeper Precious Garcia made five saves in the shutout with assistance from starting defenders Audrey Petersen, Jessica Lopez, Lindsey Grant, and Villa.