STC/EM’s Abby Ryan takes the ball down the field during the Trojan’s matchup with Clear Creek Amana. The Trojans fell to the Clippers 1-0. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

The game started at 4:30 with Abby Llewellyn in goal. Defensive line was Olivia Terrones, Emily Terrones, Alexis Riha, and Carina Chavarria. Midfield starters were Taylor Hrabak, Keely Driscoll, and Sadie Smith. Forwards were Abby Ryan and Autumn Papakee.

The game started under party cloudy skies and warm temps. Wind was not a factor on this evening. CCA came into this contest ranked #9 and undefeated. ST/EM took the opening kickoff and the game was on. And was it on. ST/EM were very aggressive, and think that it surprised CCA. ST/EM was winning the loose balls, and challenged every attack that CCA tried to generate. For the first twenty minutes, the game was played in the mid-field of both teams. Neither team generated a sustain attack, and if a team did, the defense stopped the attacks. The last twenty minutes found CCA pushing the attack more into the ST/EM end, but the ST/EM defense was very solid, and CCA could find nothing. The first half ended with a 0-0 score.

The second half found more of the same. ST/EM continued to play very well, and continued to challenge each and every pass, winning the free balls, and trying to generate solid attacks. Autumn had a shot in the 50th minute, but wide of the goal. Emily had a free kick 30 yards out but again just wide. CCA kept trying to figure out the ST/EM defense, but it was solid on the evening. Finally in the 60th minute, CCA got a goal for a 1-0 lead. It was a good shot, and Abby got her hand on it, but could not stop the shot. 1-0 in favor of CCA. ST/EM did not give up or back off. But they could not find a equalizer, and that is the way the game ended, with CCA taking a hard fought 1-0 win.

This was a very good game for the ST/EM team. The outcome was not what the team wanted, but by the same token, CCA knew they were lucky to get the win. The game for the most part was played in the mid-field. ST/EM shut down the leading scorer for CCA, and frustrated the other forwards and mid-fielders, not allowing them to get into any rhythm. CCA had 3 corners for the whole game. CCA had 7 shots in the first half and 3 on goal. In the second half, they had 13 shots and 7 on goal. Abby had 9 saves in goal, and played a very good game. The defense was very good, and kept CCA off balance all night. Mid-field played well, and continues to improve each game. This was very much a team effort from the starters to the subs that contributed to the effort. This team continues to grow and improve. Still need to work on ball control after winning the 50-50 ball. But the effort and desire is there. The subs that contributed to the effort this evening were Ariana Avila, Aleks Beha, Haley Dunning, Savanna Lopez, Analea Ordaz, Azra Papakee, Salma Razak, and Vanessa Valdovinos.

“I could not be prouder of the team. There was no quit in any player, and they gave all to the effort. Before the season is over, this is going to be a good team, if any indication of this evenings game,” said head coach Bob McBain.