It’s seven days after the Wilson girls’ soccer program dropped its first Moore League match in five years, and they’re still taking out frustration on opponents. Two days after losing to Poly last week, the Bruins hung 13 goals on the Jordan Panthers. Then on Tuesday afternoon, the Cabrillo Jaguars got in the way of the Big Red buzz saw as Wilson took their league record to 9-1 with a 5-0 victory at home over the Jags.
Cabrillo and coach Jorge Polanco used their first match with Wilson to learn a lesson, and decided to concentrate on the Bruin strikers to try and stop the offensive juggernaut. However, it only took six minutes for Wilson to adjust as they went around the Cabrillo defense instead of through it, and Carrie Hotzhauer’s cross from the corner to the back post was met by Kristyn Benavidez right foot for the 1-0 lead.
“They’re just so disciplined,” said Polanco of the Bruins. “They do exactly what they need… they have the talent to do it all.”
Hellmann Header
Wilson didn’t let up and scored again in the 10th minute when Benavidez took her turn at sending a nice cross into the box. This time, midfielder Kaitlin Hellmann was there to meet it, and her header bounced under a leaping Jaguar keeper Leslie Navarro.
Cabrillo forward Claudia Toledo and the Jaguar offense got two good chances in the 25th and 26th minute, but that would be all they could muster on the counter attack. Wilson quickly answered the Cabrillo pace with another goal in the 31st minute when Hellmann netted her second goal of the afternoon with a left-footed poke with the assist from Renee Mendiola.
Wilson scored its fourth goal of the first half when forward Emily Dillon took a shot from the top of the box that she buried in the top right corner. With the healthy lead, Wilson coach Jason Kirkwood was able to get his entire bench on the field in the second half.
“We haven’t been healthy in almost 2 1/2 months,” said Kirkwood. “More important than minutes, I’ve got everyone healthy.”
Cabrillo (4-4-1) can still clinch the school’s first playoff appearance with a win over Jordan on Thursday, while Wilson looks to keep rolling against Lakewood at home.
