Lady Trojans down Contra Costa to win 2nd straight

By Terry Bernal Daily Journal

The numbers game was not kind to the Skyline College women's soccer team last season. Four games into its current season, things have changed dramatically for the better.

The Trojans entered into Tuesday's games with 24 active players on roster. That's a far cry from having the numbers dwindle so low last season, Skyline twice had to field teams with just 10 players.

"Last year was a combination of injuries and the numbers just dwindled as the year went on for various reasons," Skyline head coach Kevin Corsiglia said. "So, this year we started off better … and the one thing about this year is most, if not all of them, can contribute a little bit. We're a little bit deeper than we have been in about three or four years."

The Trojans (2-2) showed their depth Tuesday at Skyline with a 5-0 win over Contra Costa College (0-4). It is Skyline's second straight win and the second consecutive game in which the team has scored five goals, after getting shut out in its first two matches of the season.

Tuesday's triumph was especially impressive in that Skyline scored all of its goals in the first half. Sophomore right forward Ileana Moncada and freshman midfielder Deandra Thomas had two goals apiece while freshman Janet Sanchez came off the bench to add a fifth just before halftime.

Corsiglia took advantage of the sizeable lead to play his reserves in the second half. Every player on the Trojans' roster saw time Tuesday. And with three non-league games remaining before Coast Conference play opens Sept. 19 at Las Positas College, the Trojans are in the midst of some much needed momentum.

"Obviously, not scoring in our first two games and now scoring 10 times in our third and fourth game, it's nice to see a little bit of offense," Corsiglia said. "I think that gives everybody a little bit of confidence."

Thomas got the Trojans on the board early against Contra Costa with a goal in the fifth minute. She received an assist pass from Moncada on a through ball and hammered it home to put Skyline up 1-0.

Moncada added back-to-back goals in the 19th minute and 26th minute, respectively. The sophomore's first goal was off a cross pass which she received in close proximity to the goal and did not miss. The second shot was set up by a rebound off Contra Costa's goalie, which Moncada caught with her left foot and immediately booted in.

Thomas followed swiftly with a goal in the 27th minute. Then towards the end of the half, Sanchez capped the day's scoring in the 45th minute.

Moncada's two-goal performance comes fresh off a hat trick in Skyline's 5-1 victory at Alan Hancock College on Sept. 6. She now has five on the year after scoring 17 goals last season. Thomas totaled two goals against Hancock and now has four on the year.

"This year we're coming together," Moncada said. "Slowly but surely we're getting there. We're learning to work with each other in our formation and identify each other's skills and weaknesses and play together."

Learning how to work together is key for Skyline with only four returning players in the mix.

Corsiglia credits his offseason recruiting process with an assist to South City High School. Because South City has been overhauling its athletic facilities to install a new football/soccer field, the boys and girls soccer teams both played at Skyline last season. Over the course of the season, Corsiglia was able to scout all the teams in the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division, in which South City plays, on his home turf.

Thirteen of the freshmen on this year's Skyline roster are from PAL Ocean Division programs — including Thomas, a Capuchino graduate and the Mustangs' 2013 Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

"I really focused my recruiting locally," Corsiglia said. "PAL Ocean may not be the strongest league around. But there are quality players and I try to go in and offer those players an opportunity to play at this level."

Skyline is still making substantial adjustments from game to game. Opening the season against powerhouse Modesto on Sept. 2, the Trojans employed a 3-5-2 formation. At Cuesta College on Sept. 4, Skyline went to a 4-2-3-1 formation then shifted to a more offensive 4-4-2 over the past two games, according to Corsiglia.

"At first it was hard for us to pick it up but as we made our way forward, and the last two results have been wins," Thomas said. "So, I think we're getting on our way now and people are starting to connect."

Skyline hosts Marin College Wednesday in an addition to the schedule. Marin was originally scheduled to play Cañada College Wednesday, and again next month. With the Cañada women's soccer team cancelling its season, however, Marin had two available games. Hence, Skyline scheduled the two games with Marin as the Trojans also had two available games due to losing their Coast Conference matchups against Cañada.

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