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Hawks top Coyotes in friendly rivalry
Denair v Delhi girls soccer
Delhi's Edith Madrigal snaps the ball away from a Denair defender during Thursdays 3-1 victory for the Hawks over the Coyotes. - photo by EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal

The second battle between Denair and Delhi High girls soccer was nearly as exciting as the first meeting of the season, however, the outcome was very different.

With no playoff implications, both were fighting for bragging rights in their friendly rivalry.

This time, the Hawks of Delhi managed to get the upper hand after they notched a pair of goals in the first half then added one in the second half to complete the 3-1 win over the Denair Coyotes, who scored off a late penalty kick.

 “This is the win we really needed… this one,” said Delhi head coach Oscar Zagazeta. “The last time we played them we were ahead 2-0, then they took it to us and tied it. I told them we should have won that game and this time we did it. I told them 2-0 is nothing, it is the third goal that really makes a difference and in the second half we started passing the ball better.”

“Tale of two halves. First half who knows what is going on, but then at halftime we set them down and got ready and had a much better second half,” said Denair head coach Greg Gaudio. “I wish they would just play like that. You win you win, or lose you lose, but play like that.”

In the 7th minute, Emily Salazar of Delhi put her team on the board after striking a finesse shot that curved from about 26 yards out and into the upper right corner and into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Just before halftime at the 40-minute mark, Delhi’s Jennifer Vidrio added the second goal after she beat Denair goalkeeper Courtney Prock in a one-on-one situation inside the penalty area.

The second half started off with Denair dominating possession in the opening 10 minutes before both sides broke off and began to press against one another.  At the 70th minute, Vidrio added the third and final goal for the Hawks to make it 3-0.

Denair’s Izzy Libby notched the only goal for the Coyotes when she scored on a penalty kick at the 73rd minute.

“Totally different second half,” said Gaudio. “I have had a goaltender who has never seen a soccer ball in her life in Courtney Prock. It is her team and I have to believe at this point that Courtney is our most improved player, she gets better after every game.”

Delhi’s record goes to 4-6-3 overall and 3-4-3 in the SAL. Denair falls to 3-9-2 and 1-8-2 in league play.

Delhi will next host Waterford at 5 p.m. Monday.

Denair’s next game will be a home contest against Gustine at 5 p.m. Monday.