On Jan. 14, 2025 the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) girls soccer team faced-off against their rival Saint Bonaventure High School (Bonnie) on the Buena High School football field. After the game was slightly postponed due to power outages, the two teams finally clashed in a 2-0 victory for Bonnie.
Foothill Tech got the ball rolling as they started with the ball in the first half. In the first few minutes, both teams seemed to struggle in keeping the ball and succeeding in making meaningful attacks.
The Dragons started to pick up the pace in the midfield and the attacking half. Ruby Mecham ‘26 and Siena Meter ‘26 made hard, well-timed runs, into the box and down the sideline in attempts to take a one-goal advantage in the first half.
Eva Goncalves ‘25 similarly focussed her efforts on goal as she nearly scored off of a corner kick by Meter. Shortly after a smooth passing play, her shot was blocked by Bonnie’s goalkeeper.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Bonnie made developments in their own attacking half. Bonnie created a chance of their own but was quickly squandered by Shea Stevenson ‘26. Despite Stevenson’s efforts, however, Bonnie was awarded a corner kick and scored a tap-in to take the lead, 1-0 in the first half.
After a tight and energetic first half, Foothill Tech, despite having a one-goal disadvantage, had no plans in giving up. Foothill Tech came out of the half and kept up the same offensive play that kept them in the contest with Bonnie.
Foothill Tech had many opportunities to equalize the score as Mecham and Meter had multiple openings in the box to do so. However, the clock was ticking, and the Dragons’ stamina seemed to be drained from a long and hard-fought battle.
Goncalves commented on the team’s ability to capitalize on big chances, “We had a lot of chances but no goals. I think [we need to] focus and not panic when we’re in front of the goal.”
Later in the half, Bonnie saw themselves on the verge of icing the game. After a defensive play in the midfield, Bonnie broke loose on a fast break that was finished off with a goal to close the game out 2-0.
“It was one of our better attacking games, but we were unlucky not to score,” Foothill Tech head coach, Kevin Fitzgerald said. “We had a lot of momentum, and it’s unlucky that we didn’t get on the scoresheet.”
The Dragons look to bounce back after a tough loss on Jan. 16, in their fifth league match of the season against Cate School.
