DHS girls regret missed connections

Special to The Enterprise

Despite outshooting Will C. Wood 18-0, the Davis High girls soccer team was forced to settle for a scoreless draw in its home opener on Thursday night at Yudin Field.

The Blue Devils’ possession-oriented attack outclassed the Wildcats all night, but a plethora of missed opportunities proved to be the underlying theme of the game for DHS (6-2-1).

“I wasn’t happy with the result,” said Davis head coach Sara Stone. “We had some opportunities (to score) they just came too late in the game.”

The contest started off quickly for the Devils. In the eighth minute, a DHS cross deflected off of two Wood defenders and onto the post.

In the ensuing scramble, the ball found its way to senior midfielder Clara Goin, who hit a knuckling shot straight at the keeper from 20 yards out.

Wildcat goalkeeper Danelle Hendershot spilled the ball but was able to corral it to the disappointment of the multitude of onrushing Blue Devil attackers.

The game then slowed to a lull for the rest of the half, with Davis controlling most of the play through Goin and senior midfielder Kalani Ratnasiri.

Shortly after the break the locals had their best chance of the night. Goin played an insightful through ball to Makenzie Delaughder who cut the ball back to Gabriela Herrera, but the freshman hit the ball agonizingly wide from just six yards out.

Just 10 minutes later Herrera got even closer, skimming a header off the crossbar for the second of three times that DHS would hit the woodwork on the night.

The Devils had a few more chances to win the game, but it just wasn’t their night in the attacking third of the field.

“The hardest part in soccer is the pass in the final third,” said Stone. “We’ll continue tweaking things at practice to try to fix it.”

The disappointment in the attacking end of the field was offset by an impressive Davis defensive performance led by center backs Kylie Tierney and Jenna Farboud.

Goalkeepers Maddy Purves and Madison MacKenzie hardly had to touch the ball thanks to the organization and aerial prowess of the Blue Devils’ back four.

“I’m proud of our defensive shape,” said Stone. “But at the same time, we need to take advantage of our chances.”

DHS will have the opportunity to score its first home goal on Tuesday, when they take on Rocklin in a 6:30 p.m. contest at Yudin Field.