Storm fight back but fall short to Bear Cubs
Written by: Brandon Lucas
Napa, Calif- A high scoring affair on the pitch of Napa Valley College had fans feeling a roller coaster of emotions during the game. Unfortunately, Napa Valley now (1-6-1) on the season could not capitalize resulting in a 5-4 loss to Santa Rosa who moves to (4-3).
Santa Rosa started the game off with a bang scoring within the first two minutes leading to a 0-1 deficit. While the Storm were trying to settle down the defensive breakdowns the Bear cubs struck again with Rojas second goal of the game for 0-2 hole for the storm. A ball that wasn't cleared by the Strom defenders put another goal on the board for the Bear Cubs leaving Napa trailing 0-3 with 22 minutes left in the first half.
Although down 0-3, the Storm's resiliency to fight back was on display as they dominated the final 22 minutes of the first half. Quickly after the third goal by Santa Rosa they answered right back on a goal by George Binda assisted by Alex Cendejas. After that goal the Strom pushed the ball and controlled it on the Bear Cub half of the field. JC Ayala was able to put one in the back of the net on the assist from Dominic DeBendetti. Trailing 3-2, the storm were not done offensively Ayala dribbled through defenders and scored his second goal of the game tie the game at end the first half 3-3.
Going into the second half spirits and morale was high for the Storm as they scratched and clawed their way back into the game. However miscommunication by the Napa defenders lead to a Santa Rosa goal in the 52nd minute. Down 4-3 the Storm were pressing trying to tie the game which created an offensive opportunity for the Bear Cubs. In this situation, there was a cluster of players inside the 12 ft box, when the ball got loose and Santa Rosa was able to punch it in for 3-5 lead.
Down two goals with 21 minutes not including extra time the storm needed to answer quickly. The Strom offense was held to fewer opportunities as Santa Rosa started to tighten up defensively. The Storm were finally able to capitalize late in the second half on a corner kick opportunity scoring off a header by Mosies Salinas assisted by David Jimenez. Down 4-5, in the closing minutes of extra time a free kick goal taken by Issac Hernandez was nullified by the referee because of contact with the Bear Cub goalkeeper. Unfortunately, that was the last offensive opportunity leading to a 4-5 final score.
Coach Ochoa says after the game "Team has been resilient and they don't know how to quit. They have shown heart through the tough non-conference schedule and I am optimistic that it will show once conference play begins with positive results".
The Storms next match is at home on Friday 9/21/18 at 4:00 pm.