Tucson, AZ- On Saturday night, the FC Tucson Women took on the #5 ranked team in the country, SC Del Sol. Heading into this matchup, both teams were undefeated. FC Tucson sat at 2-0, while SC Del Sol sat at 3-0. In what very well may be the series that defines the champion of the WPSL West Region, the FC Tucson Women set the standard for themselves. With a final score of 2-2, the women of FC Tucson and SC Del Sol will both remain unbeaten heading into next weekend’s slate of matches.
The night started fast for SC Del Sol as they scored as the 7th minute of the match was ticking by. This was the first goal that starting Goalkeeper Darya Mosalleai has allowed all season. As the 10th minute of the match passed, veteran FC Tucson player Ashly Martinez tied it up with a crossing path through the defense and a precise kick to the corner of the net from 25 yards out.
SC Del Sol would go on to score again in the 31st minute to take the lead 2-1. This lead would persist until past regulation and into the last minute of stoppage time before Ashly Martinez took control of the offense and dribbled down the right side of the field. In what very well may have been FC Tucson’s last offensive chance, Martinez made the most of it by blazing the ball past the SC Del Sol Goalkeeper for her 2nd goal of the night. This tied the game 2-2 as the final seconds ticked by in the match. This would remain the final score.
In the 2nd half of the match, the defense was the deciding factor for FC Tucson. The Women in Black did not allow a single shot on goal for the entirety of the 2nd half. On the offensive side of the ball the FC Tucson Women were able to tally 7 shots on goal.
Although the game would end in a draw, it was evident that the momentum was in FC Tucson’s favor. After an incredible finish, the FC Tucson Women are still undefeated after three games.
After the game, first year Assistant Coach Caylee Carter had this to say, “This just sets the new standard that we have for ourselves. We’ve proven we can go and compete with the best teams in the WPSL and that is the mentality that we will have going into the next week of games.”
The FC Tucson Women have two matches next week. The first on Friday, June 7th, and the next on Saturday, June 8th. Both of these matches will take place at the Kino North Stadium as they look to remain undefeated as they cross the halfway point in their season.