Girls soccer loses two games, leading scorer

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The Maricopa High girls soccer team gave up eight goals in two losses last week and lost its leading scorer to boot.

On Monday, the Rams visited Antelope for its first conference game of the season. The team came out strong, scoring three goals and shutting out the Antelope Rams in the first half. But a breakdown in defense allowed Antelope to score four unanswered goals in the second half and claim a 4-3 victory.

Maricopa’s leading scorer, Caroline Fayen, scored earlier in the game but then injured her knee, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament. Coach Jason Burr said the doctor has yet to decide whether she will be able to come back this season or if she will need immediate surgery.

In the second game of the week, a schedule mix-up forced the Rams to play a shortened game of 25-minute halves with practically no warm up. Fountain Hills scored easily off the unprepared team, making four goals in the first half.

“At halftime, I told the team we could not allow them to score one more goal,” Burr said.

Fountain Hills did not score another goal in the second half as Burr asked, but neither did the Rams, resulting in a 4-0 loss.

The losses leave the Rams with a 1-3 record.

Burr said he is working with the team on increasing its intensity along with the continuous effort to improve the defense.

“We have a lot of young players, which will be great in the future.” Burr said. “But we are still trying to get something going this season.”

Burr said he will move some players around on the field in order to spark the defense for the next game, which is Wednesday against Yuma Catholic.

IF YOU GO:
What: Maricopa High Girls Soccer vs. Yuma Catholic
When: Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Where: Maricopa High School
Cost: $5 Adults, $3 Students