THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

Whitney High girls soccer team returned the favor in the annual Quarry Cup and beat Rocklin 3-2 after losing to the Thunder by that same score a year ago. Returning to the lineup after missing the Davis game, Kiera Utush scored two goals against Rocklin Saturday and made seven steals in the match. The junior sent six shots on goal to keep the Thunder goalkeeper busy. Sarah Scott added another score to help give the Wildcats the victory. Rachel Zufelt was credited with two assists and Mikayla Barkve one. Wildcats’ goalie Maddie Cortez made four saves in the contest. Davis 5, Whitney 2 After losing to Davis 5-0 last season, the Whitney girls soccer program was not sure they wanted to reschedule the Blue Devils for 2017-18. But with the Sierra Foothill League on the schedule for next year, the Wildcats felt playing the defending Division I section champions the best way to prepare. Although Davis did take a 4-0 lead in the first half Wednesday, the ‘Cats battled back to close the gap to 4-2 before the Blue Devils escaped, 5-2. “We started a little scared playing against Davis,” said Whitney head coach Ana Jones. “We played them last year and that happened.” Before taking the pitch in the second half, the Wildcats got together and renewed their resolve. After some encouraging words, Whitney came out and scored two quick goals. “Now that half is behind us; this is the second half,” Jones told her athletes at halftime. “Play relaxed; the score doesn’t matter to me. What we want is to get prepared for the next game.” In spite of having to backfill her defense with a sophomore and a freshman, the Wildcats nearly held Davis scoreless in the final 40 minutes. On offense, Scott scored two goals in two minutes, forcing the Blue Devils to reload. “This is a teaching moment for us. We learned from our mistakes in the first half,” said Jones. “The second half, we scored two goals; that’s huge, scoring on Davis.” Cortez was defending Whitney’s goal. The junior was the junior varsity’s backup goalkeeper last season and has spent this season learning on the job. Although the visitors renewed the effort they demonstrated in the first half, Whitney held them off until the final 13 minutes of the contest. “Maddie is stepping up. She will get there,” Jones said. “I don’t know exactly how long because my defensive line is a brand new line.” Two of the ‘Cats’ defensive players were missing for the Davis’ game, after being invited by Placer United to play in Florida. Jones embraced their opportunity, knowing they will return even better. Jones said playing the tough teams is necessary for her club, in spite of the fact she has only four seniors on her squad. She said playing programs like Davis’ is what is going to prepare them for one more run at a Capital Valley Conference championship. “The first half, again, somewhat shaky and all that, but the second half, if we continue that for the next two games, … I’m confident that we can actually give them a good run for their money in league,” Jones said. “The chemistry that we have … was absolutely amazing today. I’m proud of them.” Whitney defeated Rodriguez 3-0 Tuesday. The ‘Cats begins CVC play Dec. 19 at home against Bella Vista.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

WHITNEY GIRLS CLAIM QUARRY CUP

JIM LINSDAU

Placer Herald | 12/12/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Whitney High School Athletics