Steele Canyon High School Women's Soccer

Cougars DELCIE THANKACHAN, JILL FEINBERG, COURTNEY CLEAVES, AMANDA ROBBINS, JANEL SANCHEZ, ADELINA MARTINEZ, and Coach Charlie Cleaves spent Saturday at the CITY COLLEGE SPORTS FESTIVAL for GIRLS. The event sponored by CITY COLLEGE and CITY COLLEGE WOMEN's SOCCER Coach ANDI MILBURN drew over 400 inner city girls for a day of sports and fun. COACH ANDI and the Cougars were in charge of the Soccer Portion of the festival and more than one festival participant was heard to say, "I loved soccer the best!" The participants moved along throughout the day playing different sports, and enjoying lunch with the various volunteers from the sports world, including our Cougars! For the girls it was a chance to be exposed to sports, but for our Cougars it was a chance to help the community and be a positive role model for young girls without many role models. Awesome!

In the very first game on Helix's brand new turf, the Cougars lost to Helix 3-2, but once again played incredibly well, except for a 10 minute defensive lapse beginning the 2nd half. With the game tied 0-0 starting the 2nd half, HELIX scored within a minute to start the 2nd half on goal that bounced off the back of a Helix player into a open net. Within 2 minutes, Helix scored again, and then 5 minutes later, Helix scored again to make it 3-0. The Cougars stunned, rattled, and seemingly knocked out, regained their composure and made the score 3-2 on two LISA MIX's goals, the last one coming with 12 minutes left in the game. With the momentum clearly on their side, the Cougars threatened over and over again to tie the game, but in the end, Helix hung on for the victory. In goal, Senior JESSI BRUCE played brilliantly and continued her run at ALL LEAGUE Honors. Up next VALHALLA! on Thursday at Valhalla!

The Cougars continue to be gracious hosts and allowed the 3rd team this year to come back down two goals late in the game and tie the game. First it was East Lake, then Valhalla, and last night Mt. Miguel. In what is becoming a very crazy season, the Cougars COURTNEY CLEAVES scored from LISA MIX'S beautiful cross 57 seconds into the game. LISA later in the half dribbled through the Mt. Miguel defense and beat the keeper to make it 2-0 at halftime. With everything seeming to be place for a victory quickly unfolded and Mt. Miguel tied the game on 2 very nice shots, the last one coming with 3 minutes left in the game. Coach Cleaves stated, "We are being tested as coaches, players, and as a team. Yes, this is a very frustrating result, and one of many this season, but how we deal with this frustation will determine our future." In the JV Game, the Cougars won big 6-0! TORREY INNISS had two goals, MARY BELT, MIRIAM RUIZ, KELSEY EASTERLY, and ALLY TIMMERMAN added goals to pace the Cougars past Mt. Miguel. The team coached by TOM NOAKES continues to play extemely well, and moved to 2-2 in League play. Next up Helix on Tuesday!

As the number 4 rated team in the County, Granite Hills came to visit the Cougars not knowing what to expect from the up and down Cougars. What they got was a inspired Steele Canyon team, and a goal keeper that had a career night. Senior JESSI BRUCE had a team record 18 saves, and displayed leadership sorely missed so far this season. Her inspiring play lifted her team with each save. Defenders BECCA SANDERS, AMANDA ROBBINS, SUZANNE MACNAUGTON, JILL FEINBERG, SARAH YOUNG, EMELY RODRIGUEZ, and SARAH DIEM denied Granite Hills allowing only a corner kick goal that bounced around the box, before being kicked in, and a long throw in that was headed into the net. The Cougars once again proved they can play with anybody, and await the rematch. Next up Mt. Miguel on Thursday!