Girls soccer game ends in tie

After playing six league games in two weeks, Ramona High School’s girls soccer team only played one game during the week of Feb. 8-12. The Bulldogs traveled to Valley Center Feb. 12 and played Valley Center to a scoreless tie.

“It was a very evenly fought game,” said Ramona coach Tom Charbonneau. “Neither team could put one away.”

Ramona goalkeeper Maria Solis had eight saves in the shutout. She was assisted by defenders Gina Lucas, Samantha Schmidt, Erika Stinchcomb and Emily Vandervort. Charbonneau also cited the efforts of senior center-midfielder Bianca Scott.

“Real strong play in the middle,” Charbonneau said of Scott. “Her best game of the season.”

Charbonneau attributes Ramona’s failure to score on Valley Center’s defensive play rather than any deficiencies of the Bulldog offense.

“We had probably four or five good opportunities,” he said.

Charbonneau noted that Silvia Villegas had three quality shots which were saved by the Jaguars’ goalkeeper.

“Our girls had an outstanding game,” Charbonneau said.

Ramona’s junior varsity and freshman teams played at Del Norte, which is not fielding varsity programs this year, on Feb. 10.

January rains forced two Monday makeup games which led the Bulldogs to play three games in each of the ensuing two weeks.

The tie against Valley Center was the third consecutive Ramona game that ended in a draw, and the tie was also the Bulldogs’ fourth in their last five games. Including a non-league forfeit loss that had been on-field tie, Ramona’s overall record following the Valley Center game was 3-7-7 while the Bulldogs had a 1-4-5 Valley League mark.

Ramona’s final regular-season game will be at home tomorrow against San Marcos and will be Senior Night. The CIF playoff seeding and selection meeting will take place Saturday.

“Still fighting for a CIF spot,” Charbonneau said.