Written By:  Nick Williams
Photography:  Sandra Velez-Lopez

 

MISS KICK FC TIES BOTH GAMES THIS WEEKEND
TO MAKE THE LAST TWO WEEKS 
OF SEASON ONE TO WATCH

 

MISS KICK FC 1-1 Beach Futbol Club

On Friday, June 14th, MISS KICK FC tied 1-1 in a hard-fought match against Beach Futbol Club at El Camino College.

Beach Futbol Club struck first with a goal from Duke sophomore forward Mia Minestrella in the 22’ minute, who was named an alternate for the U.S. U-20 Women’s World Cup squad in 2022. Keira Wagner, a freshman defender for Northwestern, assisted the goal.

In the 41’ minute, MISS KICK FC answered back with its own goal from defender Lili Rask – her first goal of the season.

MISS KICK FC Head Coach Tom Lancaster said the story of the game was the back-and-forth nature of it. 

“Both teams had several positive moments in the game and the momentum of the game continued to shift back and forth,” Lancaster said.

After halftime, both teams' defenses shined as they held each other scoreless.

Lancaster said their defensive play was largely due to Maddy Perez, who in her junior season at Long Beach State University, was named first-team All-Big West Conference for the third straight season.

“Maddy Perez played very well,” Lancaster said. “She stopped a lot of counterattacks and was unfortunate not to score with her free kick coming off the underside of the crossbar.”

This is now the second hard-fought battle against Beach Futbol Club, the first one coming on May 24th in which MISS KICK FC was able to squeeze out a 4-2 victory.

Lancaster said that Beach Futbol Club has some excellent players with a clear game plan and that their energy levels and quality of play down their left side were impressive.

After the game, Lancaster spoke to what needs to happen to be ready for Sunday’s game against LA Surf Soccer Club.

“The team coming ready to compete on Sunday is going to be key,” Lancaster said. “This group is very motivated and they really enjoy the soccer they play, it is simply who they are. Being patient and maintaining possession for longer periods will also help us.”

 

MISS KICK FC 2-2 LA Surf Soccer Club

MISS KICK FC’s Sunday game resulted in another tie, this time 2-2, against LA Surf Soccer Club. 

Hope Paredes, a senior at Indiana University, and Madison Beckley scored MISS KICK FC’s two goals in the 25’ and 53’ minute. 

For LA Surf Soccer Club, Goose Andrews struck first in the 7’ minute, and Megan Santa Cruz, a sophomore for Washington State University, in the 69’ minute of the game.

The story of the game for Miss Kick FC was missed opportunities.

“It was a game we should have won,” Rich Torvik, MISS KICK FC assistant coach, said. “We created many chances but couldn’t put the ball in the net and we unfortunately made two mistakes and got punished on them.”

Torvik said the game plan was to be more consistent and put on a good performance from start to finish.

“I think we did a good job of that for the most part but we needed to be much more ruthless in front of the goal.”

Paredes, Beckley, and Peyton Leonard (Pepperdine University) made their impact felt throughout the game.

“Peyton was solid defensively and offered us a lot in the attack as well, Hope was solid in the midfield and scored an amazing goal, and Madison scored a goal and was a constant threat for Surf’s defense. She was unlucky not to score more,” Torvik said.

The two ties for MISS KICK FC keep it in third place and in the mix to win the coastal conference. Its next two games, however, are crucial.

“We have two must-win games coming up now and we have the talent to do just that,” Torvik said. “The team has a great winning mentality and I hope that will show the next couple of weekends.”

MISS KICK’S next game will be against the Southern California Eagles on Friday, June 21st at 6:30 p.m. (PDT), and then they will finish their regular season against the No. 1 team in the division FC Premier Women on June 23rd at 5:30 p.m. (PDT)