SOCCER

The Reedley High Boys Soccer team lost yet another close match in WYL play last Friday, falling to Golden West by a score of 2-0.
“Knowing that we’re a young team, I think we’re doing ok,” said head coach Bladimir Pizano, whose team’s starting eleven consists of only four seniors. According to Pizano, the team has been able to compete with every one of the WYL schools, losing only one match by more than two goals in a forgettable match against Redwood.
Bad refereeing proved to be a handicap for the Pirates in their away match against Golden West. According to Pizano, the referee failed to call a Golden West hand ball inside of the penalty box, an action which should have resulted in a penalty kick for the Pirates, but soon after called a Reedley hand ball inside of their penalty box resulting in a Golden West goal. Pizano felt that that sequence of events helped break some of the Pirate’s momentum.
According to Pizano, this years team has already exceeded his expectations as far as league play. After a less than impressive preseason, the Pirates have been challenging teams and making them work for their wins. Ever since the Pirates kicked off league with a win over Hanford, word has got around that Reedley is a team to take seriously; according to Pizano this put pressure on his team to perform well. Pizano wants to go into the second half of league a little more relaxed. The team still has hopes of making it to playoffs, but such a feat may require winning all of their last five games. “We are a competitive team,” said Pizano.