The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
Los Alamitos may not have felt like they were at much risk of losing at Long Beach Poly on Tuesday night, but the Jackrabbits were very competitive with the Griffins is a 1-0 loss.
A 25th minute goal from Los Alamitos freshman Jaelyn Guidry proved to be the difference while Los Al outshot Poly 8-6 in the game.
“That’s a good test and I’m getting these girls ready for playoffs, that’s the goal,” Poly first-year coach Angel Zavala said. “This is (also) going to get us ready for Wilson, for sure.”
Poly (2-1, 1-0) will face Moore League rival Wilson next Tuesday.
“Los Al has a lot of chemistry so they’re running players around and switching positions so communication was really important, especially defensively,” Poly co-captain Sydney Santos said.
In her first game action of the season, Santos put Los Al under some pressure by charging up the left flank from her outside midfield position in the second half. She finished the game with a team-high three shots.
“The special thing about the 3-5-2 is we get more in the attack but it’s a lot more running,” Santos said of Poly’s formation. “Timing is also important and I play this formation in club so I kind of get the timing of when to go forward and when to stay back.”
Zavala had his team in a press from whistle to whistle because of their superior pace and athleticism. He said he wants the Jackrabbits to stay versatile in different formations, but stuck the press that helped the home side stay in the game.
“We don’t have it down yet, but there were some moments in this game where we did get it,” Santos said. “I think working on it a little big more will help.”
The first 10 minutes of the game were very even until Poly got on the front foot and earned a few dangerous crosses into the box. Just before the 20th minute, Kadence Bain came off the box to add a spark up top which led to Poly’s first and only shot on goal in the first half.
“She is doing great things and stepping up when needed,” Zavala said of Bain. “She’s earning more and more minutes as we continue to go.”
Five minutes later against the run of play, Los Al found the go-ahead from Guidry controlled finish in the heart of the 18-yard box.
Los Al junior central midfielder Zamorah Malinoski was the best player on the field for the rest of the half while recording a game-high four shots.
Santos led the Poly charge in the second half but the Jackrabbits couldn’t find the equalizer. Poly only had three shots on goal.
