College of Marin Women's Soccer began their first conference game rather slowly, as they fell behind 1-0 in the first half. The team re-energized in the second half and came from behind with a pair of late goals from forward Brenda Lopez to defeat Yuba College 2-1.
The Mariners started the game strongly with a pair of quick strike attempts by Tatum Robach. Her shot attempts were parried, but it showed that the Marin meant business. Despite the early attack, it was Yuba who scored the first goal of the game.
In the 40th minute the 49ers' Aijha Tayag beat a pair of Marin defenders down the right side and lofted Mariners' keeper Shanan Daly for a 1-0 lead. Marin had one chance before the whistle, but the shot sailed wide.
The second half was a sluggish affair to start as both teams failed to control the midfield. A series of long balls and miscued passes limited the opportunities for both squads.
It was not until the 73rd minute that the Mariners found their feet in the second half. Mariners' midfielder Bella Santia brought the ball down the right flank and lofted a long pass to Robach on the left wing. Robach fed Brenda Lopez with a high arching pass who drilled a half volley into the back of the net.
Marin played on with a newfound confidence in the 1-1 tie and continued to press forward but were unable to make any progress until stoppage time. Robach started the attack by intercepting a long goal kick and attacked the right side until stopped by a pair of Yuba defenders. Robach deftly hit a low cross to Michelle Godoy in front of the net, but her shot was blocked by a sliding Yuba player. The deflected shot fell to Lopez who gathered and finished with her left foot to the left corner of the net.
The game had less than a minute remaining and Marin was able to run out the time for the 2-1 victory.
The win propelled the Mariners temporarily to the top of the Bay Valley Conference with their 1-0-0 record. Overall the team his 3-1-2 thus far in the young season. "It was good to grab a win after struggling in the first half. Brenda [Lopez] came up huge with her first two career goals," said Coach Andrew Jones.
Next up for Marin is a road game at perennial BVC favorite Solano College on Tuesday, September 26th at 4pm.
