Pitman High is number one in the Central California Conference standings with one half of the regular season complete. The Pride maintained their top position on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Buhach Colony High as they braved winds as high as 45 miles per hour.
Both of Pitman’s goals were scored in the second half off the foot of freshman Rayana Plancarte—the team’s leading scorer with five goals. Plancarte notched her first goal in the 50th minute from just beyond 10 yards with a finesse shot that floated over the Thunder goalie’s outstretched hands. Plancarte was at it again 10 minutes later after a deflected corner kick was sent her way, resulting in a close range shot and goal.
“She has a lot of energy and moves a lot. She’s good with the ball also and has a very powerful shot,” Pitman’s head coach Christina Garcia said. “She’s either going to score or the goalie’s going to have a hard time handling it.”
The Thunder tested Pitman early as they played with the wind against their backs. Junior Jaimee Ellison came through with clutch saves in the first quarter to keep the match scoreless. By the second half it was the Pride who were playing with the wind and Ellison was pressured less often as Buhach’s offense had trouble with both Pitman’s defense and the weather.
“If anything, the wind helped us defensively because Buhach’s long balls would die out,” Garcia said. “We made sure we kept playing our game to put another one away.”
By the end of the match Pitman had 20 shots on goal compared to Buhach’s nine. Ellison finished with four saves.
“We’re confident in what we’re doing on the field,” Garcia said.
Pitman now has an interesting and difficult pair of games ahead to close out the second round of league play. The Pride travels to Golden Valley High today to face the second place team in the CCC before hosting third place Turlock High in the second cross-town matchup of the year.
"Turlock is swiftly making up ground. So even though we’re excited, we know a lot can happen,” Garcia said. “We’re not celebrating just yet; we’re focusing on our next two games.”
