The Lady Falcons soccer team added two more tallies to the win column last week, beating teams from Cortez and Veritas prep.

The team hit the road to Coronado this past Monday, Jan. 27, and was on the road again to take on Tempe Prep Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 28.

Play continues this Thursday, Jan. 30, with a home game against Valley Christian beginning at 6 p.m. This will be the final match of the regular season. This will also be senior night, where the Falcons will be honoring four soon-to-be graduates and one junior foreign exchange student.

“It will be great to end the regular season with senior night at home,” Coach Alison Mabery said.

“The Falcons have a chance to go undefeated in regular season play and finish first in their section. This will be a tremendous advantage heading into the post season if we can gain home field advantage.”

In other words, local sports fans are invited out to help cheer the ladies on as they fight for a good position in the state tournament.

Cortez

The Falcons’ week began with a showdown against Cortez in front of the hometown crowd last Tuesday.

The Falcons’ first goal came from a corner kick sent in by Courtney Dunham with Madi Blaes heading it home past the keeper.

Keeping the ball mostly in Falcon scoring territory thanks to some fast footwork and a strong defensive effort, the local squad eventually found their second goal of the first half from Leah Carillo, who was returning to the pitch after a week away.

“She trapped the ball beautifully off of a goal kick by Cortez and sent it into the top right corner of the net,” said Mabery.

This put the Falcons up 2-0 at the half, but the local ladies weren’t quite done with their scoring drive just yet.

“Courtney Dunham continued sending great balls into play as the second half commenced,” Mabery said.

“This time, Marie Olson shot the bottom right corner and put the Falcons up 3-0.”

Erika Yost ended up sinking the last shot on another header, putting the game up 4-0 in the Falcons’ favor, which is where it would stay until the final whistle.

Keeper Kahri Smith recorded a crystal clear sheet this outing.

Veritas Prep

The Lady Falcons returned to the pitch Thursday evening, Jan. 23, this time welcoming Veritas Prep for another home game.

According to Mabery, the team is gelling well in these late-season matches.

“The girls are really starting to come together again after a short drought we had in the beginning of January,” she said.

“We really weren’t playing our best or with passion. Tonight, the girls really stepped it up and had more enthusiasm for each other and the game than I had seen in the past few weeks.”

That renewed camaraderie meant a more effective offensive push for the Falcons, scoring what Mabery called an “astonishing eight goals,” to Veritas’ one.

In the end, Leah Carillo finished the game with a hat trick while Danica Kerr scored the first goal of her high school career.

“Madi Blaes tallied another onto her total and Erika Yost joined Leah in finishing the game with a hat trick,” Mabery continued.

“Kerr also recorded two assists, along with one from Sarah Walters and Alex Balzarini.”

The only shot recorded on defense was the single long goal from Veritas Prep, who Mabery said remained determined and played a hard game from starting whistle to finish.