Bulldog girls start soccer season with two ties

By Joe Naiman

Ramona High School’s girls soccer season began with ties Dec. 3 at Torrey Pines and Dec. 7 at home against Fallbrook.

In both cases the Bulldogs had the lead for most of the game. Torrey Pines scored the equalizer in the 3-3 final with two minutes left, while Fallbrook’s tying goal was scored with three minutes remaining in the 2-2 game.

“If we could just finish out the last five minutes, I think we’re going to do great,” said coach Justin Jordan.

The Dec. 3 game was Jordan’s varsity coaching debut, and many of his players were also participating in their first varsity game. Ramona’s 18-girl roster has two seniors, two juniors, 13 sophomores, and one freshman.

“I was just happy with how hard they played,” Jordan said.

Torrey Pines reached the semifinals of last year’s CIF Division I playoffs.

“For us to take the lead against Torrey Pines and hold the lead through halftime and then extend it by two goals, it was a very good result for us,” Jordan said. “It was a good game, a really good first game for us, against tough competition.”

Kacie Jordan, who is not related to her coach, scored the game’s first goal 10 minutes into the first half. Karli Njaa scored midway into the first half, and the Bulldogs led 2-1 at halftime. Bianca Scodellaro’s goal 10 minutes into the second half gave Ramona a 3-1 lead before the Falcons scored the game’s final two goals. The equalizer was scored on a rebound off a corner kick.

“The girls played with a lot of heart and a lot of desire, and it was a good performance for us,” Justin Jordan said.

The match against Fallbrook was Jordan’s first home game as a head coach.

“We had great fan support,” he said. “The environment was great for a high school soccer game.”

Once again the Bulldogs had the lead for the majority of the game.

“This game we really controlled a lot of the possession,” said Jordan.

Alexis Dinero’s goal from Njaa’s pass gave Ramona the first half’s only score. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 2-0 in the second half when Ceci Estrada passed to Scodellaro, who placed a header into the net.

The Warriors scored the game’s two remaining goals off of direct kicks that were played into the 18-yard box.

“We didn’t clear the ball properly,” Jordan said.

If weather permits, Ramona’s next game will be Friday evening, Dec. 14, at home against Escondido.