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Baker drops Cape 3-1 in girls’ soccer

By Staff | Nov 25, 2008

MICHAEL PISTELLA Cape’s Carrie McDonald, left, gets tied up with Baker’s Sam Fisher (16) as they fight for the ball. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Ida Baker’s Christine Giles believes strongly in her Bulldogs’ unselfish offensive approach. At the same time, the junior captain doesn’t want to pass up open shots.

In the early portion of the girls’ high school soccer season, Giles and the Bulldogs (5-2-1) are striking the right combination.

Giles, who had scored nine goals in the team’s first seven games, settled comfortably into the distribution role Monday night in a 3-1 victory over Cape Coral (2-3-2) at Dave Warkentin Stadium.

She assisted freshman Brenna Hambsch on a corner kick late in the first half and set up the final goal in the second half when she slid a pass to freshman Brittney Herrera, who was streaking down the left flank.

“I think I’m kind of taking the shots more than I did last year,” Giles said, “but if the shot isn’t there I’m trying to pass it to the open players.”

MICHAEL PISTELLA Baker’s Jordan Goffar (00) defends Cape Coral’s Jaimee Smith (22) Monday night. More photos of Baker’s 3-1 win are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

It was the Bulldogs’ teamwork and stellar passing that set up the majority of scoring chances against the Seahawks.

The offense also has received a spark from several talented freshmen. Along with Hambsch and Herrera, freshman Autumn Yesch scored the other goal.

Hambsch, who consistently sent deep, booming kicks ahead from her midfielder spot, assisted on Yesch’s goal with seven minutes left in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Baker coach Dave Trepkowski said the team is together finally with several players returning from cross country and team chemistry has improved.

“This is only the second game we’ve played together and they’re picking it up real quickly,” he said. “They’re distributing the ball well and it doesn’t matter who scores.”

MICHAEL PISTELLA Baker’s Payton Van Horn dribbles the ball away after a tie up with Cape Coral’s Emily Daniels (12). Baker’s Megan Turner (22) trails the play. More photos from the Bulldogs’ 3-1 victory are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

The Seahawks, who have six freshmen and four sophomores, also are growing as a team.

After falling behind 2-0 late in the first half, the Seahawks kept the pressure on the Bulldogs when freshman Jaimee Smith scored with 30 minutes left. Smith dribbled from beyond midfield, down the left side of the Baker defensive zone and blasted a shot over Baker goalkeeper Natalia Ortiz.

“We had the momentum for a few minutes,” first-year coach Dan Gross said, “but we are young and we’re making a lot of the same mistakes.”

Neither team had much of an edge or many quality scoring chances in the first 25 minutes of action. Ortiz and Cape senior goalkeeper Shelby Rowe (10 saves) were keeping the play in front of them.

As the game progressed, though, the Bulldogs had a decisive edge in possession in the offensive zone.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Baker’s Rachel Swisher (23) tries to outrun Cape’s High’s Carina Powell for ball possession Monday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

“We connected on our passes, found the open spaces and moved well without the ball,” Giles said. “It was a difference from our previous games.”

The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday at Port Charlotte. The Seahawks are off until Dec. 2 when they host Wellington.

Raleigh invite: Christine Giles and Libby Schuls of Ida Baker are among 16 area players invited to participate in the U18 soccer showcase in Raleigh, N.C., Dec. 4-5.

It offers a chance for players to compete in front of more than 365 college coaches.

Other Cape area players competing are Brittany Harris and Alyssa Barry (Mariner), Ashley LaPierre (North Fort Myers), and Kayley Clay and Megan Barton (Bishop Verot).