The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Moore League title contenders Long Beach Poly looked the part on Tuesday night, as they opened up Moore League play with a statement win at home against Lakewood.
The Jackrabbits’ 4-0 shutout was headlined by two goals apiece from midfielders Katana Van Deusen and Aaya McLyn. First-year head coach Angel Zavala knew that the game would set the tone for the upcoming season, with a team laden with experienced and hungry seniors looking to win Poly’s first Moore League title in nine years.
The Jackrabbits employed a 3-5-2 formation, a midfield-heavy approach that played to their advantage. They were able to utilize their playmakers and dominate the field, with Van Deusen and McLyn as well as Makayla Quesada putting on a show in the midfield.
The Jackrabbits dominated the pitch in the first half, but didn’t have much to show for it. They tallied eight shots and five corner kicks, yet only scored once when, in the 8th minute, Quesada passed the ball to Van Deusen in the middle of Lakewood’s half, and Van Deusen set herself up nicely for a shot that sailed just out of reach of the goalkeeper to put Poly up. However, after that, their chances never resulted in much, and Zavala and his team were aware that they had to flip the switch in the latter half of the game.
“We had a big talk at the half, there were adjustments we needed to make, and we came out in the second half awake and put it away. It was good, life came back in and it was a great win,” Zavala said.
“At halftime we were like, we have to get our heads in the game,” added McLyn, who scored both of her goals in the second half. “We were all kind of lackadaisical playing, very frantic and slow at the wrong times, so we had to switch it up and we had major fixes, but we know that we can come out in Moore League and have a good performance this season.”
The energy on the field was visibly higher for Poly once the second half commenced, and it resulted in augmented scoring opportunities. In the 56th minute, Quesada took a shot on goal that bounced off a Lakewood defender and landed in front of Van Deusen, who was charging upfield. She capitalized on the opportunity and put Poly up 2-0. Zavala was very pleased with Van Deusen’s performance.
“That’s why she’s one of our captains; she’s able to step up and keep the team stepping up when needed, and she played a great part today,” he remarked afterwards.
However, Van Deusen wasn’t the only midfielder to put up numbers for the Jackrabbits; the Washington State commit McLyn also contributed two goals.
After Poly was given a free kick in the 62nd minute due to a Lakewood foul, McLyn stepped up to take it. Positioned on the right side of the field, she sent a shot that curved and was tucked away at the far post, putting Poly at a more comfortable margin of 3-0.
Momentum continued in the second half, with a big chance in the 65th minute when McLyn sent a through-ball up the field to right midfielder Joanna Rodriguez. Rodriguez crossed it to forward Molly McGovern who, marked by a Lakewood defender, took a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. This was followed by a skirmish in the Lakewood box in the 67th minute with multiple attempts on goal that Poly was unable to capitalize on.
Poly was eventually rewarded again when, also in the 67th minute, McLyn scored another from distance to finish off the scoring.
Lakewood had one shot in the final minutes of the game, but it was easily nabbed by Poly goalkeeper Caitlyn Jung, and the strong Poly back line spearheaded by centerback Alex Valente was able to come away with a shutout in their first league match, a result that sets them up well in the weeks to come.
Zavala was happy with his team’s performance overall, but knows that they have work to do in the coming weeks.
“It’s a big change from last year; there’s a lot of things that I need them to understand with me coming in,” Zavala said. “I expect a lot, but at the same time, I want them to be creative on the field and, being able to let them do their thing, we’re able to see the magic that happens, so that is great.”
Although the Jackrabbits are a squad loaded with talented seniors, they are still learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses and are excited to continue to grow as a team as the season progresses.
“Especially since we got a new coach, we’re still finding our footing,” said McLyn. “We have freshmen on the team as well, so even though we have a pretty old team, we’re still getting our chemistry. We did pull that out in the second half, but I think we will mesh more together within our team for sure.”
Lakewood returns to the field on Monday against Arlington and is back in Moore League action at home against Cabrillo on Tuesday.
The Jackrabbits have a big match on deck as they face off against Los Al at home next Tuesday, and continue their league schedule at Jordan on Thursday. Vital games in terms of league standings are on the horizon, with a game at Wilson on December 17 and a home match vs. Millikan on January 7, but they are ready to take on the challenge.
“We just need to keep the hunger and the drive, and keep everybody motivated. This is a great motivator game, we needed this, and I think it’s lighting the fire, getting us ready for the rest of the season,” Zavala said.
The always confident McLyn added, “We feel like this year is our year to win Moore League, so we are excited for that.”
