The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
Long Beach Poly girls’ soccer had a tough draw into the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs and on Thursday they hosted Rosary Academy out of the powerful Trinity League.
The Jackrabbits just couldn’t create enough scoring opportunities against the Royals and fell 1-0. Rosary (16-3-5) got the deciding goal in the second half from Amaya Faison.
“I think they (Rosary) were awesome,” Poly coach Anthony Perez said. “We got lost within each other (while attacking), whereas they were able to capitalize on our organization or lack thereof.”
The Royals kept the Jackrabbits on their heels in the first half as Faison and Danielle Pirnat applied pressure on the Poly back line. That resulted in two corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes.
Poly spent a majority of the first half on defense and couldn’t get into a rhythm as they only earned one shot on goal and one corner kick.
In the second half, the Jackrabbits started to apply pressure and saw some opportunities that led to two shots. But at the other end, a lob pass from Sherry Diep landed in just the right position where Faison was able to collect, gather herself and deliver a strike to give Rosary the lead.
Some injuries could have slowed Poly down, but they were able to adjust down the stretch and a couple good looks at an equalizer, but none of them found the back of the net.
“It’s just one of those things when you’re playing against a Trinity League team— just like when we play in the Moore League against Millikan and Wilson— any time you play that high level competition, it always comes down to who is more organized and puts more effort and heart into it. That’s what it comes down to when the skill is even.”
Poly (9-5-0) finished third in the Moore League.
