Jaguar girls defeat La Paz, 3-1
By David Boldt
The Santa Cruz Cooperative School Jaguars scored in the first thirty seconds of play against American Cooperative School La Paz, taking an advantage they would not relinquish in a game they won 3-1, and which would constitute one of the tougher tests they have faced at the Friendship Games -- or anywhere else.
It was a clean, hard-fought game that guaranteed the Jaguars a place in the championship game Saturday with a 2-0 record with one game left to play late Friday afternoon.
Tania Landivar scored the opening goal before many of the small crowd present knew the game was underway. The ACS Cougars had a chance to eventhings up on a corner kick that resulted in a scramble in front of the Jaguar goal, by SCCS goalie finally leapt on the ball to end the threat.
After that, thing scalmed down, with coach Rolando Cabrera urging his charges "Tranqi, . . . . tranqi . . . ." when they raced after out-of-bounds balls as they are accustomed to. Clearly there was some thought being given to the fact that the girls would have to play two more tough games Friday, one volleyball and one soccer.
The second Jaguar goal was also scored by Lndivar, this time on a corner kick by Fernanda Vaca Diez, and 2-0 was the score at the half.
The Cougars cut the Jaguar margin back to one goal in the early moments of the second half when there was another melee in front of the Jaguar goal, but this time Cougar Isabel Taborga took charge of the ball and put it in the net.
The Jaguars regained their two goal advantage on a corner kick inwhich Vaca Diez and Landivar exchanged favors. This time Landivar took the corner kick and Vaca Diez, in the right place at the right time nudged the ball into the corner of the goal with her thigh.
The Santa Cruz team was able to dominate play in the closing phase of the game, gaining three more corner kick opportunities, but no more goals.
