The Pen High Lakers and Rutland Voodoo fought through windy conditions to a 1-1 draw in Okanagan Valley AAA senior girls soccer action Monday at Pen High.
The Lakers drew first blood on a long shot by Marisa Mendonca that found the top corner. The Laker credited the ability of her teammates to get the ball back up when Alyssa MacMillan spotted Mendonca in the open. The Voodoo’s equalizer didn’t come until midway through the second half. Following a corner kick in the Lakers zone, the Lakers were unable to clear it and goalkeeper Natasha Reimer was beat on a shot inside the far post.
Lakers coach Drew Carlile said his players were pushed back on that goal from the pressure placed by the Voodoo.
While the Lakers earned their second tie in three games, Carlile said his team played pretty good.
“We were quicker on the ball, I thought,” said Carlile. “Our midfield was really good. Had some good chances. Overall, I thought they had a very good, strong first half. The second half we had a little bit of pressure on us because we were against the wind.”
Mendonca said she felt the team played better than the previous week, when they played to a scoreless tie with the Salmon Arm Jewels.
“We were able to keep the ball a little bit with the wind. Keep it on the ground,” said Mendonca. “We communicated a lot better.”
Mendonca said certain situations were easier than others to try and generate offence.
When the Lakers had the ball in the Voodoo zone in the second half, space was minimized. The two teams also didn’t shy away from physical play.
“They play pretty well. They were able to keep the ball and pass well in the middle,” said Mendonca. “There is nothing wrong with being physical.”
