![Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0042-1200x800.jpg)
On Thursday, March 19, the Rock Ridge Phoenix girls varsity soccer team played their season opener against the Meridian Mustangs, resulting in a 0-2 loss for the Phoenix.
The first half started off with the Mustangs in possession of the ball against the Phoenix. This led to the Mustangs nearly scoring against the Phoenix near the 25-minute mark; however, senior goalkeeper Leillah Kafumbe and senior defender Savannah Bettilyon stopped the push before the Phoenix scored.
Following this, the Phoenix gained possession of the ball, leading to a decisive offensive push against the Mustangs, but the Mustangs defense halted the offensive play near the 30-yard line. This resulted in a turnover, where the Mustangs, with this gained momentum, scored a goal against the Phoenix near the 20-minute mark in the first half.
After the Mustangs scored, they followed up with a second offensive push against the Phoenix defense. This push didn’t make it far, however, due to the Phoenix players intercepting a pass. This then led to an offensive push against the Mustangs, where the Phoenix almost scored, but were pushed out by the Mustangs’ defense.
Phoenix players noticed some mistakes they were making throughout the first half. “If we have more people on the post and near the goal to get rebounds or to take, we can improve [our] assists and passes significantly,” sophomore defender Anshika Atluri said.
With five minutes left in the first half, the Mustangs intercepted an offensive pass, leading to the Mustangs breaking through the Phoenix’s defense and scoring within the last few minutes of the first half. As the half came to a close, the Phoenix wanted to generate more offense . “I think we just need to score more goals, get it up in the box more,” sophomore midfielder Alice Block said.
The first half ended 0-2 with the Mustangs in the lead.
The second half began with the Phoenix and Mustangs contesting for the ball, until the Phoenix broke through, leading an attack against the Mustangs. The attack almost succeeded until the Mustangs’ defense cleared the ball decisively.
Regardless, the Phoenix continued to attack through key offensive players such as sophomore midfielder Emmy Hagler and senior midfielder Mackenzie Cooper. Yet even with these multiple offensive plays, the Phoenix were eventually pushed back by the Mustangs.
After the Mustangs had taken control of the ball, they charged the Phoenix’s defense, breaking through. Nevertheless, senior goalkeeper Diya Arun blocked an attempted goal by a Mustang forward, which resulted in a turnover benefiting the Phoenix players. This led to an attack by the Phoenix players, but near the 20-minute mark, while trying to receive a pass, freshman forward Isabella Rabiela was injured and didn’t return. “Injuries happen; they are a part of the game. It’s something that we just kind of have to navigate, but we have a next man up mentality. So if somebody goes down, we have to encourage the next player behind them to come up and play in a position,” Coach Luis Hernandez said.
This also led to the Mustangs once again gaining control of the ball and attacking the Phoenix. Even so, the Phoenix didn’t give up and continued to defend, with Arun making several stops throughout the game. “The defense works very hard, and they’ve always got our backs,” sophomore midfielder Block said. “Especially during the toughest times, they’re not afraid to go for the ball or make crazy saves, which we really need.”
Still, even with the Phoenix coming close to scoring a few times against the Mustangs, their tight defense with only a few minutes left on the clock led to the Phoenix losing against the Mustangs, ending the second half 0-2.
Yet even with this loss, the Phoenix are looking forward, especially after noticing significant improvements within themselves and how they play out there on the field. “It’s showing that we’re off to a good start as a team, and it makes me excited for the future of the season,” Block said.
The players aren’t the only ones finding the silver lining in the loss.“So this year, it just gives me hope that I think these kids are going to be in a good position for success. So we’re looking forward to some district games,” Coach Hernandez said.
The Rock Ridge Phoenix girls varsity team will be facing Loudoun Valley Vikings on Monday, April 6th.
