Hotspur Win One, Lose One

LA Hotspur had a strong start to its 11-aside Municipal league season, as the side overcame Kickin It by a score of 4-1 last Saturday. Several new Hotspur players made their debut in the match, including Charissa Clark, Demi Cobar, Shannon Snow and Katie Donegan. Rachel Pearson tended goal for the Spurs.

Kelly Buck scored first for the Spurs with twenty minutes remaining in the first half. Mary Brazie delivered a corner kick towards the far post, where Buck cleanly first-timed the ball into the back of the net on a volley. It was the only goal of the half.

In the second half, the Spurs’ first goal was set up by Flora Guilbaut, who sent a cross to Brazie from the left side of the field. Brazie trapped the ball to her feet, turned and took a low, left footed shot that was placed into the right corner. Becca Bullard scored the next two goals for the Spurs. Both goals were made on similar plays, where Bullard made a run in the left-center of the field, received a through pass from a midfielder, beat her defender and drilled the ball into the back of the net. The first assist came by way of Brazie; the second goal was assisted by Buck.

__________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, in the Coast Soccer League, the Spurs faced off against So Cal Select on Sunday, March 30th. Hotspur ultimately lost the tightly contested match by a score of 2-1. So Cal scored a goal in the first half and then again in the second to establish a two goal lead. With ten minutes left to play, Brazie won the ball from a So Cal forward, turned and drilled a long shot from 40 yards out. The ball sailed just under the crossbar to give the Spurs a point. But the lone goal was not enough and despite pushing hard until the end of the match, Hotspur were unable to equalize. 

Keeper Brittany Parker made several saves on the day to keep the Spurs in the match and defenders Oriana Nierojewski and Hillary Tribbs controlled the backline, keeping So Cal’s offensive threats at bay. In the center of the field, Ana Carinena repeatedly won battles for the Spurs and contributed defensively for the duration of the match.

 

---