Junior Laci Brunson scored a goal close to both sides of halftime, and sophomore Darlyn Mendoza-Lechuga capped the afternoon’s scoring with a 74th-minute strike. Unfortunately for the Ignacio High School girls soccer team, it wasn't enough for the team to earn a second win in as many outings to begin its 2022 season. Visiting Ridgway prevailed 9-3 Friday at IHS Field.
Maizy Gordon of the Demons broke the ice with a fifth-minute goal – on the first shot of the 2A Southwestern League match – resulting from a failed Ignacio corner kick. RHS’ junior star also scored in the 12th, 29th, 37th, 54th and 66th minutes of play. Junior Courtney Southall also cashed a penalty kick in the 16th minute, helping Ridgway build a 5-0 lead before Brunson ran into a Sophia Escobar Mulas throw-in, turned left around defender Bella Janda and snapped senior goalkeeper Aynsleigh Wood's shutout bid.
Taking advantage of a stiff tail wind after intermission, Brunson ran onto a gust-powered long ball in space and struck again in the 42nd minute, bringing the Lady 'Cats (1-1, 1-1 2A SWL) back to within four goals, 6-2.
RHS (1-1, 1-0) put the match out of reach with three goals in 12 minutes span, but Mendoza-Lechuga would net her goal off a throw-in by senior Elisia Cruz.
Unofficially, Ridgway took 27 shots and put 20 on alternate goalie Alexis Ortiz, who registered 11 saves. Tuesday's winner, Harmony Reynolds, was unavailable. Wood, meanwhile, made eight stops as IHS put 11 attempts on frame, including a 24th-minute Mendoza-Lechuga try off Wood's near post, four minutes after Brunson pushed a breakaway attempt wide to Wood's wide side.
Ignacio will be back on the field Saturday when it travels to Telluride to take on the Miners (0-3).
