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Mar. 21—The Pisgah girls' soccer team is off to a much-improved start over last season.
Last year, the Bears went 0-19 and 0-12 in conference play. This season, the Bears have already scored a win and a draw.
On Wednesday, the Bears welcomed Smoky Mountain to town for a Mountain 7 match-up.
The Mustangs came in with a 7-1 record and a 2-0 record in conference play, making this early season match-up a real measuring stick.
Ultimately, it was the visiting Mustangs coming away with a 3-1 victory.
"It was our best game of the year without question," Pisgah coach Rocky Heath said. "It's all the small things, the little improvements that just have to come together. They are, slowly."
The scoring started early on. Pisgah freshman Delaney Pifer found senior Estefany Castillo-Pina less than three minutes in to give the Bears the lead.
"We had the wind at our back in the first half," Heath said. "It makes the difference. I think it kind of caught them off guard. The first five, 10 minutes of each half are huge."
Smoky grabbed two goals before halftime to go into the break with a 2-1 lead. But Pisgah had a handful of chances right before the half.
In the second half, Pisgah kept that momentum going. The counterattack was very strong for the Bears.
Pifer brings a new speed to the Bears front line that is going to be a problem for opposing defenses, and she showed it on Wednesday.
Heath said that's something the team focuses on in practice. Instead of playing 11-on-11 scrimmages, the team focuses on more individual or group-based drills to ensure the players are getting plenty of touches at every practice.
In goal for the Bears, senior Paloma Ramirez had a great game, coming up with a handful of saves.
This year is the senior's first time getting the start. Through middle school and her first two years of high school, she was the backup goalie. Last season, she missed the year due to a torn labrum.
"She's amazing," Heath said. "She continued to work hard. This year, she still has some room to grow, but you're seeing how good she is. She keeps us in some games and makes some saves she almost shouldn't make."
The strong results early in the season are a good sign for the Bears.
"All the pressure is off," Heath said. "We're getting the skill higher. We're getting the organization higher — keeping the team shape. We're in a tough conference, but we're going to be okay. We have a shot to win four to six conference games."
For the coach, grabbing wins and staying competitive in losses so far this season is a big step in his first season.
"It's the small things. They show up every day," Heath said. "We're teaching those soft social skills to excel in life and using soccer as a starting point. And by the end of the season, we will win some games."
Continue reading...
Last year, the Bears went 0-19 and 0-12 in conference play. This season, the Bears have already scored a win and a draw.
On Wednesday, the Bears welcomed Smoky Mountain to town for a Mountain 7 match-up.
The Mustangs came in with a 7-1 record and a 2-0 record in conference play, making this early season match-up a real measuring stick.
Ultimately, it was the visiting Mustangs coming away with a 3-1 victory.
"It was our best game of the year without question," Pisgah coach Rocky Heath said. "It's all the small things, the little improvements that just have to come together. They are, slowly."
The scoring started early on. Pisgah freshman Delaney Pifer found senior Estefany Castillo-Pina less than three minutes in to give the Bears the lead.
"We had the wind at our back in the first half," Heath said. "It makes the difference. I think it kind of caught them off guard. The first five, 10 minutes of each half are huge."
Smoky grabbed two goals before halftime to go into the break with a 2-1 lead. But Pisgah had a handful of chances right before the half.
In the second half, Pisgah kept that momentum going. The counterattack was very strong for the Bears.
Pifer brings a new speed to the Bears front line that is going to be a problem for opposing defenses, and she showed it on Wednesday.
Heath said that's something the team focuses on in practice. Instead of playing 11-on-11 scrimmages, the team focuses on more individual or group-based drills to ensure the players are getting plenty of touches at every practice.
In goal for the Bears, senior Paloma Ramirez had a great game, coming up with a handful of saves.
This year is the senior's first time getting the start. Through middle school and her first two years of high school, she was the backup goalie. Last season, she missed the year due to a torn labrum.
"She's amazing," Heath said. "She continued to work hard. This year, she still has some room to grow, but you're seeing how good she is. She keeps us in some games and makes some saves she almost shouldn't make."
The strong results early in the season are a good sign for the Bears.
"All the pressure is off," Heath said. "We're getting the skill higher. We're getting the organization higher — keeping the team shape. We're in a tough conference, but we're going to be okay. We have a shot to win four to six conference games."
For the coach, grabbing wins and staying competitive in losses so far this season is a big step in his first season.
"It's the small things. They show up every day," Heath said. "We're teaching those soft social skills to excel in life and using soccer as a starting point. And by the end of the season, we will win some games."
Continue reading...
