The Gustine High School varsity girls’ soccer team emerged victorious against Delhi High School in a nail-biting match held in Gustine on Thursday. The two teams had previously battled to a tie in Delhi, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.
The first half saw Gustine take an early lead. # 18 Shandel Aguilar initiated a fast break, firing a shot that ricocheted off the left post. #7 Anahi Alvarez was perfectly positioned to capitalize on the rebound, calmly slotting the ball into the net at the 8:30 mark, giving Gustine a 1-0 advantage.
Aguilar continued to be a constant threat. Midway through the first half, she took a free kick from midfield. The ball sailed over the outstretched arms of the Delhi goalie and into the back of the net, extending Gustine's lead to 2-0. The first half concluded with Gustine holding a 2-0 lead. Aguilar's offensive prowess was evident, as she tallied four shots on goal and contributed defensively.
The second half proved to be a more tightly contested affair. After a sustained defensive effort by Gustine, Delhi finally broke through at the 23:30 mark, scoring their first goal and narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Gustine responded quickly. Aguilar turned playmaker, delivering a perfect assist to #19 Kaylee Giles, who finished with a goal, pushing Gustine's lead back up to 3-1.
Delhi refused to give up. Delhi led a determined charge down the field, unleashing two powerful shots on goal. However, the Gustine defense held strong, thwarting both attempts. Delhi eventually found a way through, scoring their second goal of the match and making the score 3-2.
Goalie Bethany Guinn’s performance for Gustine was noteworthy. Despite facing 10 shots on goal, she only conceded two, demonstrating remarkable defensive skills.
With the final whistle blowing, Gustine held on to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory. The match was a testament to both teams' determination and resilience, providing an exciting contest for all in attendance.
Gustine will next play Denair at 3:30 p.m. Feb.11 at home against Denair. The Reds come in with a record of 12-4-2.
