Lady Rangers hold own in upper division contest
By Misty Volaski

Nordhoff's varsity girls' soccer squad knew they had their work cut out for them when they entered the Claremont Tournament. After all, most of the teams they would be playing were highly ranked Division II and III teams.
"We were put into the group of death, as we called it," said coach Pete Christl.
Nordhoff first took on Walnut, a very physical and very good team, with a No. 2 ranking in Division III. The Rangers are a strategic team, and though they played tough right back, the two-and-a-half-hour drive up the coast left Nordhoff lacking what Christl called their "game legs." The Mustangs came out victorious with two goals to one.
The Lady Rangers' next game would prove to be no easier. Taking the other half of the field were the Brea-Olinda Mustangs, who are ranked second in Division II.
Despite Brea-Olinda's 16 wins, no losses and one tie, coach Christl said NHS outplayed the Mustangs. However, Nordhoff fell just short of their opponents, 2-1. "Unfortunately, soccer is a sport where the dominating team doesn't always win," Christl added.
The Rangers went into the third game against Etiwanda determined to get a win out of the tournament.
Etiwanda has a huge student body from which to choose its team - nearly 3,500 students, which is most likely why the team is ranked No. 8 in Division L.
The Rangers came out and were not only able to execute plays better than the Eagles, but were able to come out with a 2-1 win, thanks to Ana Levin's "beautiful winning goal."
Other goals in the tournament came from Ally Taylor (two), Jill Taylor (one) and Monica Kenton (one).
Christl noted that without unity and strength of the Nordhoff defensive unit of Kari O'Connor, Jenny Lang, Mary Ann Christl and Becca Morrison, the Rangers would not have been able to fend off Etiwanda's attempts at goal.
Nordhoff will be holding a fund-raising event for the girls' soccer team Friday at 6 p.m. The squad will play the faculty and coaching staff in a "fun" game. Admission is $1, and the junior varsity team will be selling snacks and hot chocolate.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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