Girls soccer kicks off strong start

Referees. They make the calls, ensure the rules are being followed and keep track of the time. So what happens when they are on strike?

The girls soccer team has had an unusual start to the season. The referees went on strike for an increase in payment over the next three years. As the season began, there was a glimmer of hope that the conflict would be resolved, but it was not.

As a result, the home teams are now responsible for supplying referees for games.

“A lot of our refs now aren’t certified to do high school soccer games because the organization who registers people is the one on strike,” senior Talia Sheets said. “The whole thing results in some pretty sketchy referees for when we play away games, and MC soccer alumni [have] come in to do our home games.”

According to junior Kellie Fox, if there are no referees, the games are cancelled and the home team has to forfeit.

Although the lack of referees does not directly affect the game of soccer, Fox feels that it does have some impact.

“You have to just play your own game with whatever ref is reffing,” Fox said. “There is a home field advantage because every school has to find their own refs, so of course it’s easier just to have alumni or people you know ref, but it’s hard making it fair. So far it’s been okay.”

Despite this challenge, the girls have started out the season well, placing second in the Baron’s Tournament last week.

After advancing to the semi-finals, the girls played Clairemont on Saturday morning, defeating them 1-0.

They took second place in the finals game on Saturday night, losing against Mission Bay 1-0.

With five games last week, the team was exhausted by the tournament finals.

“We were tired because we played two games before. We [have] had a lot of games to get ready for the season,” Fox said.

Starters junior Lindsey Valdez and Sheets were injured and did not play. Fox played but was suffering from a foot injury.

In their first of five games last week, the girls took on Santana. Fox scored three goals, seniors Kristin Poggioli and Danielle Leiva both scored as well. The final score was 5-0.

On Dec. 10, the Sundevils went on the road to Carlsbad. Unfortunately, the game ended in a 2-0 loss.

Both of the goals were scored during the first half. The girls came back determined and set up a strong defense, preventing the opponents from scoring again.

In their cross-league game against San Pasqual, the team found an unexpected victory, 3-0.

“The whole team came out ready to play, and we were excited,” Fox said.

Leiva, Fox, and freshman Megan Barry each scored one goal.

The team, which mainly has returners, has been able to come together on the field during practices and games.

“It is hard work sometimes, but the team has bonded really well in such a short amount of time and that helps a lot on the field,” Sheets said.

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