BHS Girl's Soccer Wins Easy

Easy win for ’Dogs
GIRLS’ SOCCER: Burbank dominates play in notching 8-0 league win against Glendale.
By Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader
December 18, 2009

BURBANK HIGH — With nine new players this season, the Glendale High girls’ soccer team expects to take its share of lumps in Pacific League competition. In contrast, Burbank, with a mix of veteran and first-year athletes, fully expects to make a run at a league championship.

It was apparent early on Friday that the Nitros were just no match for the Bulldogs. Once Burbank got going, there was no stopping it, as it rolled to an 8-0 league victory at home.“I think we have a real good balance of older players and new players,” said Burbank Coach Loi Phan, whose squad has outscored its opponents, 19-0, in two league matches. “Instead of feeling intimidated by the older girls, the younger players have really stepped up and played well.”

Although it took the Bulldogs (3-0-1, 2-0 in league) 17 minutes to get their scoring started, they were dominating throughout the entire contest. The most telling statistic detailing that domination was in the shot differential, as Burbank outshot Glendale, 24-2.

“What we’ve done is essentially took a rec-type team and put it on the field,” said Glendale Coach Dino Barbiera, whose team is 2-2, 0-2. “We know we have a long way to go, and we know we have a lot to learn.”The score could have been even more lopsided if it wasn’t for the efforts of Glendale goalkeeper Andrea Guerra, who made 12 saves.“And she’s only a freshman,” Barbiera said. “She did a good job for us.”

The Bulldogs dominated play early, as the Nitros were able to get the ball in Burbank territory only twice during the first 16 minutes. Burbank received a fine offensive effort from Anabell Gonzalez, who had two goals and two assists in 55 minutes of play.The team also had a solid defensive stand, as Alyssa Meredith, Brittany Austin, Kaila Eugenio and Jennifer Seip continually kept Glendale off the ball. In goal, freshman keeper Katie Hooper only had to make two saves.

However, the fact that Hooper even played in the match was remarkable. A short time before the match, Hooper was in a car accident. Although shaken up, she stepped up and wanted to play.“That’s a great effort by her,” Phan said of Hooper. “She was very upset before the game.

”The Nitros’ best chance to score came in the 27th minute when Ashley Aquino blasted a shot from the right side, but Hooper was able to make a diving save. Alexandra Amela had three goals, Marlene Mejia had two and Meredith had one for the Bulldogs.