REEDLEY – The Reedley boys soccer team stepped foot on a rain-soaked pitch hoping to find their rhythm against a tough Justin Garza team playing its first game of the season.
The Pirates braved the elements and protected their home field by fending off the Guardians for a 2-1 non-conference victory on Nov. 26 . Reedley’s close victory at Sal Gonzalez Field also left them feeling much better after a tough early start to this season.
When the Pirates played to a 1-1 tie against Lindsay on Nov. 22, they walked off the field feeling like a sure victory slipped through their grasp. Reedley had a great chance to start strong, but they were contained in that game and never found their groove.
Having shaken off some of the rust from that game, the Pirates wasted little time in jumping out of the gate early. Reedley came out with some quick ball movement, utilizing their athleticism and speed to match the Guardians quick play the field. Both teams played aggressively, refusing to give up any easy shots.
“I thought we started off really well, we did a fantastic job building rhythm and playing how we knew we could play, which is to move the ball on teams and make them work to defend us,” said Reedley head coach Eric Velarde.
The Guardians had their work cut out for them defending senior forward Kevin Garcia. Garcia led the Pirates attack as he crossed between his defenders in the open field, created shot opportunities near the box and stuck with his man on defense.
In the first half, at the end of the 34th minute, Garcia leaped above his defender and knocked in the Pirates first goal off an assist from a corner kick. And in the 27th minute, he slipped past Garza’s fullbacks and sneaked in the Pirates second goal.
“What he’s done, playing professionally at his age already, and then playing with us, it gives us a plus,” said Velarde. “It gives the team a boost.”
Garcia’s experience playing for Central Valley Fuego FC this past summer makes him an explosive weapon for the Pirates. And the Guardians saw first-hand how potent Reedley is with him in the lineup.
Their ball movement and passing kept Garza busy, especially at midfield and near the box. And when the Pirates pushed the ball down the field, they beat the Guardians defense to create more shot opportunities.
“So, the strengths that we play to, we want to have extra players to constantly move the ball,” said Velarde. “Then we could use guys that have athleticism to run forward and get crosses into the box, to give ourselves the best chances to score.”
While Reedley had success playing to their strengths, they also became a little too aggressive. And that opened up the shot opportunities for Garza.
The Guardians scored their only goal in the 12th minute of the first half off a long penalty kick. Garza had two great shot opportunities near the box in the second half, but couldn’t cash them in. Garza’s best chance to tie the game came on an uncontested shot that was wrapped up by Reedley’s goalie.
“We go up two goals, and then, unfortunately, can see a goal off of a long free kick, and it kind of just made the rest of the game real nervy,” said Velarde.
Despite the anxious end to the game, the Pirates kept their rhythm and stood their ground against a tough Guardians team. They played strong and brave to the end.
“When we needed to play, we were really brave,”said Velarde. “Something we’ve been talking about is be brave, don’t be afraid.”
The Pirates hope to keep that rhythm when they play against Golden West on Dec. 3.
