Golden Valley, Merced girls soccer play to draw

Brooke Wilson couldn't contain herself any longer.

Despite trailing 1-0, her Merced soccer team controlled the last 50 minutes of Tuesday afternoon's Central California Conference clash with crosstown rival Golden Valley.

But Merced had nothing to show for it. The Bears had created a handful of golden scoring chances in the second half, yet an equalizer had eluded them.

Finally, when Hannah Esquivel's heel flick was cleared off of the goal line Wilson's composure broke.

"We can't buy a goal," Wilson shouted at no one in particular.

Apparently the soccer god's were listening.

A freak hand ball gave Merced a penalty kick with 10 minutes to go and Emma Martinez converted it to salvage a 1-1 draw.

"It's pretty much the same story," Wilson said. "Lots of opportunities, but not very good finishing.

"Our offense is very young and it's coming along. We did turn up the pressure and kind of force the penalty.

"It was a tough call for GV, but the way we played, I felt we deserved the tie."

Wilson was probably right on both points.

The Cougars (1-2-2 CCC, 5-7-2) dominated the game's first 30 minutes, opening up the scoring midway through the first half.

The Bears (2-2-1, 7-3-2) weren't the only goal-starved team on the pitch, with injuries devastating GV's offense. Set pieces have become huge for the Cougars and that was the case again on Tuesday as they scored on a corner kick.

Alex Elber drove in a low cross to sweeper Brianna Bond at the near post. Bond's attempted shot was deflected and eventually found its way to fellow defender Callie Alexander for a tap in at the far post.

"Scoring the first goal is always big because it changes the game up," said Alexander. "I thought we fought really hard in the first half, but might have eased up in the second."

Merced took full advantage, imposing its will on the game in the second half.

GV keeper Stephanie Romero stood strong in the onslaught, making five saves. In the end, it was an innocent looking play that turned the tide.

With no orange player within 15 yards, a Cougar defender mishit an attempted clearance and had the ball glance straight up into her arm. The referee signaled for a penalty kick right away, and Martinez calmly tied things up from the penalty spot.

"I told the girls after the game that these things happen in soccer," Golden Valley coach Lee Shaw said. "If you can only score on set pieces. If you don't take shots you should or don't finish the chances you get and let the lead stay at just one goal, you're always in danger of that.

"Merced started crashing down hard and we didn't do enough to counter it. We'll take the tie."

This story was originally published March 21, 2012 at 4:10 AM with the headline "Golden Valley, Merced girls soccer play to draw."