Thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy this afternoon with light rain possible. High 69F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Some passing clouds. Low 41F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Updated: May 4, 2024 @ 5:59 am
Ilana Vasconez (6) prepares to send the ball down field for Ottumwa as Centerville freshman Brynlee Carney (10) rushes in to defend the kick during Thursday’s girls soccer match played at Schafer Stadium in Ottumwa. Vasconez was able to score the 10th and game-ending goal for the Bulldogs in a 10-0 win.
Samia Argueta (7) from Ottumwa tries to dribble around a Faith Owens (20) of Centerville during the first half of Thursday’s girls soccer match played at Schafer Stadium in Ottumwa.
Ilana Vasconez (6) prepares to send the ball down field for Ottumwa as Centerville freshman Brynlee Carney (10) rushes in to defend the kick during Thursday’s girls soccer match played at Schafer Stadium in Ottumwa. Vasconez was able to score the 10th and game-ending goal for the Bulldogs in a 10-0 win.
Samia Argueta (7) from Ottumwa tries to dribble around a Faith Owens (20) of Centerville during the first half of Thursday’s girls soccer match played at Schafer Stadium in Ottumwa.
OTTUMWA — Not even a storm that dumped over an inch of water on the field could stop a new record being set.
Although the storm did try as the Ottumwa girls soccer team had to wait through a rain delay that lasted over an hour on Thursday night. The Bulldogs fought through the rain dealy and eventually beat Centerville 10-0 with 7:34 left on the clock in the second half when the final goal was scored.
By the time the 10th goal went in it seemed like the game was perhaps headed for another delay. A second round of rain had started to pour heavy rain on Schafer Stadium, but Ottumwa’s girls soccer team seemed to have something more to play for.
“When it rains as hard as it was, it is hard to score,” said Ottumwa girls soccer head coach Matthew Erlandson after the game. “The ball starts skipping, and it doesn’t quite do what you think it is going to do. It is a lot heavier, for them to score goals when it was pouring is exactly what we’ve been talking about being able to finish games.”
What was at stake for the Ottumwa girls on Thursday night was a little bite of history for the team. The win gives the Ottumwa girls eight victories on the season. That puts the Ottumwa 2024 girls team in the history books.
“This sets the record for most wins in a single season by an Ottumwa girls team ever,” Erlandson pointed out. “We’re looking to add to that before the end of the season. We can’t think about this game too long, we just need to prepare for the next.”
That may be why the Ottumwa girls were able to fight through, downright terrible conditions throughout the game.
Before the rains came, the Bulldogs scored two quick goals, leading 2-0 with 23:07 left in the first half. As the Bulldogs were celebrating their second goal, they had to retreat to the locker room because of lightning in the area. The lightning was followed by a heavy rain storm that left puddles all around the soccer pitch at Schafer Stadium. Once the threat of lightning disappeared, nearly two hours after the game was halted, the game resumed and so did the goals for Ottumwa.
Just under ten minutes into the game Ilana Vasconez was able to send a goal past the Centerville goalie for the third goal of the game.
Then Mia Garza-Trejo helped score the next two. First, she netted a goal off her own foot. Then, she sent a centering pass right to the foot of Addison Knaak who scored the fifth goal. The Bulldogs carried the 5-0 lead into halftime.
“That was probably the biggest thing, after we stopped the game, was our ability to come back with the level of intensity and level of play that we had,” Erlandson said. “They jumped back into the game, they were on the attack almost the whole time. Terrible conditions throughout the game, but they finished it off. Lots of action, lots of good passing.”
Garza-Trejo led the attack and the writing of the names into the history books for the start of the second half as she scored seven minutes into the second half, before adding another goal just four minutes later. The Bulldogs led 7-0, and didn’t seem to be slowing down, despite another rain shower that was starting to soak the field once again.
“Mia was still Mia,” Erlandson said. “She gets everyone involved in the game which makes us incredibly dangerous. People can’t just try to stop her because she allows the rest of her teammates as well. She’s getting everyone involved and that’s why teams haven’t been able to beat us.”
Everyone for Ottumwa seemed to be involved too. Even when Centerville changed the goalie to try and slow down the Bulldog attack, Garza-Trejo just continued to open up seams in the Centerville defense.
A big reason why the Bulldogs have a new record number of wins in a season is the play of Garza-Trejo.
“Mia will get you the ball and all they have to do is take the shot,” Erlandson said. “When we are able to execute like that it is great. Having the defensive line that can hold the line well, it really makes us a tough team to play against.”
Ilana Vasconez and Samia Argueta were the next two Ottumwa players to add their names to the score sheet as the game reached a score of 9-0 with over eight minutes left in the second half.
One more heavy down pouring of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Bulldogs though. They were able to score one final goal, this time by Vasconez with 7:34 left in the game to secure the victory.
The Bulldogs (8-4) open next week facing Marshalltown on Tuesday.
We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on!
The Ottumwa Courier welcomes readers to submit letters to the editor to offer their take on the news impacting them. Let us know what you’re thinking!
Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
