Sunny Hills, Troy Hit Freeway Tie-up

With sole possession of first place in the Freeway League at stake, Troy and Sunny Hills battled to a 1-1 overtime tie Tuesday in a girls’ soccer game at Sunny Hills.

Sunny Hills (20-0-4, 5-0-2 in league), ranked 10th in the county, scored in the 24th minute when co-captain Simi Phull scored off a corner kick set up by co-captain Megan Broschak.

Phull’s 37th goal--one shy of the single-season school record she set last season--capped an offensive surge by the Lancers during which they put four shots on goal in 10 minutes.

“We were just settling into the rhythm of the game,” Lancer Coach Jeff Gordon said. “Both teams were fighting hard, fighting for it. And finally something good happened for us.”

Troy (15-4-2, 5-0-2) had been dominant on offense prior to that, keeping the ball in its opponent’s end and testing Sunny Hills goalkeeper Janina Luciano with six shots on goal.

Five minutes into the contest, Troy’s Teresa Rechnitzer passed to Lauryn Welch on a breakaway at the top of the penalty area. Defender Shanda Dixon raced back to mark Welch, preventing her from getting off a strong shot.

Four minutes later, Kathy Avendano stole the ball at midfield and dribbled into close range before firing a 10-yard shot that was stopped by Luciano.

Troy tied the score in the 72nd minute when sophomore Jessica Rinehart scored off a corner kick. From that point, a defensive battle ensued.

Rinehart was playing in place of Jackie Whynot, who sat out with a broken foot.

“I took a gamble in starting her, but I believe in her,” said Troy Coach Tamiko Davila. “She has tremendous speed and a good heart and she tackles hard. She showed why she deserved to play today.”

Troy had eight shots on goal, with Welch and Rechnitzer accounting for two each. Sunny Hills had 10 shots, and Warriors’ goalkeeper Kim Orin had six saves.