The De Anza College women’s soccer team faced a stiff challenge in its Oct. 1 game against Foothill College. After losing their previous three games, the Dons were anxious for a win, and their frustration was evident on the field. After Foothill scored twice early on, Dons forward Sylvia Torres managed to beat Foothill’s tough defense and score before the end of the first half. 

“I think I did really good, especially since it was against our rival team. I tried to put 100 percent, which I think I did,” Torres said.   

Dons Maddie Meighan scored on a penalty kick in the second half, after a Foothill player committed a foul inside the box. 

“A PK is really intense. You really don’t want to screw up,” said Meighan.  

Foothill managed another goal in the second half, leading Foothill to a 4-2 victory. Still the players and coaches felt that there were improvements from the previous games.  

“In the first half we struggled in putting things together. But the girls were a bit more hungry in the second half,” said Dons assistant coach Chris Fitzpatrick. “The passion, the desire to compete, to win, was there. Foothill won the first half we won the second half. Unfortunately they put more goals in the first half than we did.” 

“We did pretty well,” said left winger Athena Reclusado. “In the first half we were a little confused, we didn’t know what we were doing. We became a little more focused on winning the ball. I thought the second half was a lot better. We picked up; our pace was better. We just put more effort into it,” said Reclusado. “Next time we need to bring aggression and momentum to win.”  

“They learned that they need to compete; they can rely on themselves,” said Fitzpatrick. “Some players weren’t giving 100 percent before; now they are. We will build from this game.”

Dons head coach Cheryl Oweisny praised goalkeeper Vanessa Martinez, while also mentioning the team was still learning to get comfortable. “My goalkeeper stepped up her game tremendously from the beginning of the season. As a team we’re still trying to find a system,” she said.Torres commended the team on its improved passing and communication. 

“I definitely think we do better in the practices,” Torres said. “We don’t put 100 percent sometimes in the games and the practices we’re ourselves … and in the games there is pressure so we kind of put ourselves down with that.” 

The next game for the lady Dons is at home on Tuesday Oct. 12, against Chabot College at 4 p.m.

Marisol Sanchez attempts to take the ball down the field, but is blocked b Foothill in her mission to score. (Keith Hubbard)