By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
Senior co-captain Molly Dooley kicks the ball against Mashpee in front of the net during Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Falcons. |
The junior varsity girls soccer team dropped their season opener 1-0 at home to Mashpee on Saturday. The Falcons scored the only goal of the game in the 27th minute of the first half en route to the win.
The Whalers (0-1) next game is Monday when Sturgis travels to the island.
On Saturday against Mashpee the Whalers were able to generate pressure for much of the game, but could not finish their shots.
“We were attacking, we were just missing goals and missing chances. It’s the unwritten law in a soccer match, when you miss chances and are knocking on their door, the counter-attack comes,” head coach Jorge Rojas said.
In the 27th minute, the Falcons cleared the ball past the sweeper at the midfield line and used their speed for the fast break and the 1-0 advantage.
But the Whalers controlled the ball for much of the game, following the attacking philosophy instilled by their head coach. Molly Dooley, Kate MacLellan, Briana Vittorini and Claire Jensen all had chances for the Whalers, while Aileen Fredericks played a strong game at midfield, Rojas said.
With five minutes remaining in the game, the Whalers were attacking from the flanks with six players in the box, but could not convert the score.
“The players were out of game shape and didn’t click very well in the beginning of the first half. We had some lapses on defense. Their forwards were pretty speedy,” Rojas said.
The Mashpee soccer program boasts 48 players, many of whom play year-round soccer, Rojas said, and have had game experience already this season with preseason scrimmages. Saturday signaled the first live action for the Whalers this fall.
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