The Pitman Pride girls soccer team is off to a successful 6-1-1 start after defeating Lodi High, 2-0, on Tuesday afternoon from home.
“I think we started off really strong with that first goal and that helped us stay on top and then we came back and got another goal,” said Pitman head coach Annabel Perez. “These girls work hard all preseason long and most of them are training and they work hard.”
The shutout marked the sixth of the season.
In their six wins, Pitman has outscored their opponents by a lopsided score of 19-0.
“It is awesome being able to play with this team. We are all in travel teams and we all just play well together,” said Alexia Caballero.
Caballero scored the second and final goal for the Pride, who controlled the pitch for majority of the game.
It took just three minutes for Pitman girls soccer to get on the board after forward Izzy Shallou-Enes found the back of the net to put her team up early 1-0.
“So, I got the ball, thought it was too far out but figured I would take the shot and I tucked it, but I was more towards the goal, just power,” said Shallou-Enes. “After scoring that goal, since we were nervous playing Lodi at first, I felt after that we were in it and we had this. We moved the ball around and kept us up and helped us move well throughout the game.”
The defense and steady play was consistent throughout the remainder of the first half and the Pride went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead over the Flames.
“I love playing against teams like this to see where we stand,” said Perez. “We look at our opponents in the CCC and we want to play teams outside the CCC and we’ve been trying new things, keeping the girls fresh and fit, they have done well… so far so good.”
Pitman rotated players in throughout the game. It is one of the strategies and so far, it has paid off after the first eight games played.
“Honestly, with Annabel’s coaching I think we are going to be good, but we need to keep subbing like we do. If we ever get gassed they sub us out to get a fresh start,” said Caballero.
Caballero erased any opportunity of a comeback after she struck the back of the net at the 44th minute with a 40-yard strike from the middle of the field.
The ball then sailed just over the Lodi goalkeeper’s finger tips and the lead was extended to 2-0.
“I was not expecting that, but I saw Jazmyn get the ball and so I called for it and I went for the shot. I have not practiced that, just practiced clearing,” said Caballero with a surprised and excited look.
Pitman will next host Beyer at 3 p.m. Thursday.
