Our women’s soccer team is feeling the pain of defeat after Las Positas beat them 5-3 in an exceedingly physical game. Despite the sunny weather, neither team played with a sunny disposition.

Las Positas spent a lot of the first half in control, passing often to their right forward who managed to score a goal within the first three minutes (0-1). Skyline fought to maintain possession after this in order to amend the slip-up.

Eight minutes into the first half, a decisive and ugly play foreshadowed how the rest of the game would look. Recovering the ball from Skyline’s left side; Rasha Shehadeh was trying to prevent the ball from going out of bounds when a visiting mid-fielder overran her. The taller Las Positas player aggressively moved for a tackle from behind and stepped on the back of Shehadeh’s heel and ankle, crushing her nerves and taking her out of the game in crutches.

“The first foul of the game was the dirtiest foul I’ve ever seen,” said Skyline’s Malissa Motylewski, who wasn’t the only one upset by the play.

Head Coach Kevin Corsiglia attempted to come to Shehadeh’s aid since he was within 15 feet of the foul play. As he moved forward, the referee yelled to him to step back and not to come onto the field, which angered the Trojan bench.

Skyline controlled the ball for the greater part of the next five minutes until a free kick by Randee Kotlar narrowly missed the goal.

Las Positas took control of the ball and 20 minutes into the game they made a goal attempt, which was successfully stopped by Skyline goalie, Eva Munoz, who charged out of the goal nearly 12 feet at the Las Positas forward.

Las Positas spent most of the rest of the match in control of the ball and scored again 25 minutes into the half (0-2). One more unsuccessful shot on goal by each team concluded the half.

The second half started with a bang when Skyline forward, Katlyn Jaques scored their first goal within 30 seconds of play (1-2). The Trojans fought harder in order to keep their momentum going. Trojans gained a lot more possession time during this half, but injuries were obviously keeping them from an opportunity to score.

Two more Las Positas goal attempts failed, and another Trojan Viewfell to injury. Kayla with Skyline Sports Medicine carried Daphne Manilla off the field, who had suffered some sort of cramp in her lower leg.

One minute after, Las Positas scored another goal making the score 1-3.

Trojan players kept sustaining minor injuries, causing numerous substitutions. This seemed to offset the team’s rhythm and momentum.

With 20 minutes left in the game, Skyline Brooke Penner scored an extremely impressive and long-distance goal that lobbed up over the goalie’s head, bringing the count to 2-3.

Las Positas realized they needed to break ahead and after five minutes of play, a cross was headed into the Skyline goal, making the score 2-4.

Las Positas scored a goal five with 13 minutes on the clock (2-5). The goalie and forward collided, injuring Eva Munoz on the hip and Leila Torres replaced her as keeper.

Skyline dominated the last two minutes, scoring once more thanks to Jazmin Cazares. This finalized the score at 3-5.

“It was a physical game. The ref let lots of things happen; when players see that, they take the extra inch,” said Corsiglia. “We had to be very direct in the second half because we were behind.”

The frustration of the team was palpable because of the injuries, but they battled together.

“We played as a team. We played with heart and we kept fighting,” said Shannon Marmolejo.