Bulldog goalkeeper Spencer Green saves a goal against Notre Dame as three teammates watch. Green had nine saves for the match. Photo by Lou Martin.

Bulldog goalkeeper Spencer Green saves a goal against Notre Dame as three teammates watch. Green had nine saves for the match.
Photo by Lou Martin.

The Virgin Valley High School soccer gals faced a buzz saw Friday night as they lost to Notre Dame Academy of Staten Island New York 6-1. The Gators struck goal 47 seconds into the match as they showed local fans why they placed second in last year’s New York State Catholic Archdiocese tournament. The Gators added a second goal at the 13 minute mark on a smooth pass to a striker who broke free from the Bulldog defense. They would add another goal two minutes later to take a comfortable 3-0 lead. “They were first to the ball and there aggressiveness showed,” said Bulldog coach Bob Snell. The Gators kept the momentum throughout the first half as they shot 15 times on goal. Bulldog goalkeeper Spencer Green had eight saves in the first half to keep the match within reach. The Gators continued to pressure the Dawgs increasing their lead to 4-0 four minutes into the second half as the Dawgs could not control Gator striker Sandra Battista who split the Bulldog defense time after time. Battista struck goal six minutes later to give the Gators a 5-0 lead. The Bulldog offense woke up 16 minutes into the second half with three attempts on goal but could not finish. Notre Dame increased their lead to 6-0 before the Bulldogs could get on the scoreboard. Bulldog Abbie Barnum hit freshman Kallie Graves on a sweet pass for the Dawgs only score of the match. “Were not discouraged,” said coach Snell. “We wanted to play good teams early.”

The Bulldogs had a breather in their second match of the evening against the Canyon Springs J.V. team as they dominated winning 6-0. Abbie Barnum scored three goals in the first half and freshman Kari Wakefield added one to give the Dawgs a 4-0 lead into the break. Barnum would notch one more goal followed by Shantel Galindo’s first goal of the season. The Dawgs easily won 6-0.

Bulldog striker Abbie Barnum #22 finishes off a long shot on goal Saturday morning against Canyon Springs. Barnum would strike goal five times during the Mesquite Cup. Photo by Lou Martin.

Bulldog striker Abbie Barnum #22 finishes off a long shot on goal Saturday morning against Canyon Springs. Barnum would strike goal five times during the Mesquite Cup.
Photo by Lou Martin.

The Bulldogs fifth place match on Saturday morning would not be easy as they faced Canyon Springs, varsity squad. The Dawgs jumped on the Pioneers early striking goal at the eight minute mark when Abbie Barnum scored on a great pass from teammate Kallie Graves. The teams battled evenly the rest of the first half as defense dominated the match. “Just a step to slow,” said Snell. “We need to be more aggressive in the second half.” It was the Pioneers who came out with a more motivated offense as they struck goal on a penalty kick 12 minutes in to tie the match 1-1. The Dawgs offense sputtered as they could not mount a coordinated passing attack. The Bulldogs would not get a corner kick until 50 minutes into the match. The game ended in a tie although the Pioneers won fifth place on a shootout 3-2. “We got out of it what we hoped for,” said Snell. “Our mistakes were magnified but we know what we need to do to improve, that is why we play the Cup early in the season. We have a new system were working on.” The Bulldogs will host Mojave High School on September 3 at 6pm on the recreation center field.