Providence girls’ soccer blanked in first round of playoffs
GLENDALE — A breakthrough season ended in bittersweet fashion Thursday for the young Providence High girls’ soccer team.
After winning the Independence League championship for the second straight season, Providence entered the CIF Southern Section Division VII playoffs looking to retain its momentum from the regular season and make a postseason run.
Things didn’t go as planned for Providence, which suffered a 3-0 loss against talented Desert Mirage at the Glendale Sports Complex.
When the playoff pairings were unveiled Monday, Providence (11-2-2) was set to face Santa Clarita Valley International. However, Santa Clarita Valley International was able unable to compete and the bracket was revised with Desert Mirage (14-7-4) receiving the nod against the Pioneers.
Desert Mirage, which finished fourth in the De Anza League, got two goals late in the first half to derail Providence.
“That’s a real tough team that we played,” Providence first-year coach Brett LeQuesne said. “They have a lot of speed and that hurt us a couple of times on the goals and we just don’t have that kind of depth.
“We needed to find a way to counter their speed and we just couldn’t.”
Providence mustered just one shot on goal in the match.
After it was unable to convert on several quality scoring chances early in the first half, Desert Mirage broke through.
Maria Fernanda Gonzalez scored on a 15-yard shot in the 32nd minute that deflected off Providence goalkeeper Gigi Loizzo to make it 1-0. The Rams made it 2-0 with about three minutes later on a goal by Crystal Pineda.
“I thought we stayed with them for most of the first half and it’s tough giving up a couple of goals,” Providence senior co-captain Kelly Fitzgerald said. “Desert Mirage played with high intensity and we knew it would be a challenge playing them.
“We were still able to get a lot done and it’s great to win league two years in a row. It’s really good for the program moving forward.”
Desert Mirage wrapped up the scoring in the 72nd minute on a goal off a partial breakaway by Fabiana Zavala.
“We played hard for the 80 minutes and we had a couple of chances,” LeQuesne said. “They got those two goals and it’s hard to come back.
“We have a solid core coming back next year and we’ve learned a lot. That’s a big thing in terms of building together as a team.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
