Jim Riggio Getting over a battle of...

Jim Riggio

Getting over a battle of nerves was half the battle the Burbank

and Burroughs high girls’ soccer teams faced Tuesday when they hooked

up in a Foothill League match at Burbank High.

Both teams started slowly, and play was at times sloppy. But

Burroughs capitalized on its chances and defeated the Bulldogs, 2-0.

“It’s like at first they couldn’t turn the nerves into some

energy,” Burroughs Coach Mike Marcos said of his team. “Once we got

the first goal [things changed].”

Senior Gabriella Pedone kept the Indians in third place in the

Foothill League standings by scoring both goals, as Burroughs won its

second consecutive league match -- following a 1-0 win Friday against

Saugus.

“We’re happy to be in third place right now,” said Marcos of the

tough Foothill League. “We want to go back and get Hart after a lousy

1-0 loss.”

Burroughs (6-3-1, 2-2 in league) had the match’s first scoring

chance in the 18th minute, as Daisy Ortiz’s header off a cross from

Rebecca Sagory was stopped on a save from Burbank goaltender Barbara

Villegas.

Burbank (8-6-2, 0-4) had a good chance to score in the 22nd

minute. Jeanette Gonzalez’s left-footed shot was blocked by a

Burroughs defender following a throw-in from Kelsey Rohr.

Pedone finally scored in the 34th minute. Sonia Sagory’s throw-in

was headed by Rebecca Sagory, who got the offering to Pedone. With

her back to the goal, she was able to flick a header past a stunned

Villegas.

Burbank nearly got a break a minute later, as Burroughs goaltender

Justine McCabe struggled -- but held on to -- a shot by Abby

Castellon.

Down a goal, Burbank came out and controlled the midfield in the

second half, giving Burroughs some trouble.

“We didn’t want to be just a second-half team,” Burbank Coach

Savio Silveria said.

Burbank’s freshmen duo of Bianca De Santiago and Carolyn Chrzan

nearly hooked up in the 51st minute, as De Santiago’s cross was

flicked toward the goal by Chrzan. However, McCabe was not fooled by

the play.

Burroughs put the match away in the 73rd minute, as Sonia Sagory’s

throw-in went to her sister -- Rebecca -- who fired a shot that was

blocked by Villegas. Pedone picked up the loose ball and put it into

the empty net.

“I don’t like giving up goals on the doorstep,” Silveria said.

“Both teams played hard, but they put their chances away.”