Ignacio ends losing streak to Center

Center’s Stephanie Molinar (7) contends with Ignacio’s Brianna Duran (17) during Saturday’s morning match. Molinar lead the Vikings in shooting and scoring. (VC/Jiron)

CENTER — Saturday morning the Vikings took on the visiting Bobcats in a 2A district girls’ soccer meeting. Both squads entered the weekend contest looking for their first win of the season. It was the Bobcats that picked up the ‘W’ by upending Center in a 2-1 game.

The Center Vikings (0-6) can trace back their dominance over Ignacio (1-3)  to 2012. The last time the Bobcats found themselves on the winning end of a match with Center was a 4-1 affair seven years ago.

When things got underway Center was the aggressor keeping the Bobcats on their heels. Their persistence paid off as a handball was called on Ignacio midway through the first half. Though the goalie was beaten, the shot would glance off the side-post. The crisis had not yet been averted, Ignacio would log a second hand ball trying to clear the rebound and on the following penalty kick Center’s Stephanie Molinar would beat Ignacio keeper Rylee Pearson to the same side to put the Vikings up 1-0. 

With six minutes remaining in the half Ignacio’s Alannah Gomez would knot things all up to send both teams to the half tied 1-1.

Coming back from the half Center was active, outshooting the Bobcats 8-5. Even converting a few decent chances into shots on goal. A cornerkick got cleaned up and cleared by Center’s Yamileth Trejo accurately to Molinar who turned it into a shot on goal.

Ignacio would force more saves however with two shots on goal from sophomore Caitlyn Chapman.  With six minutes remaining Ignacio’s Abbi Barthel got alone on a rush. She’d fire a rocket that was initially stopped by Center keeper Gladys Hernandez. The ball would squeeze through Hernandez on the other side to a waiting Barthel who potted the go-ahead.

The Bobcats would hold on through the final minutes to put the monkey on their back to rest.

The Vikings have a tough two game stretch coming up as they’ll face two 3A opponents in Pagosa Springs (2-2-2) Friday at 4 p.m. and Bayfield (1-3) Tuesday the 16th at 4 p.m.