A Claudia Garcia throw in during the Steelers soccer match with Redlands East Valley.
Photo By BOB OTTO
botto3@verizon.net

REDLANDS, CA – The Redlands East Valley Wildcats scored three goals in the first 15 minutes and were never headed in a 5-0 defeat of the Fontana Steelers, Friday, in a Citrus Belt League girl’s soccer match up.

“We knew it would be tough, they’re a great talent and probably the best team in league this year,” said Fontana coach, Armando Fresquez.

After the Steelers gave up the three early goals, the defense toughened the rest of the way. Fresquez especially lauded his goalkeeper, Edith Brito.

“She’s only a freshman, a very young keeper,” he said. “She had 14 saves and did wonderful under a lot of pressure today.”

Fresquez added that the Steelers played without six of its top players, who were held out of the game to mend nagging injuries. Four games remain in league play and the Steelers must win three of four to nail down fourth place in order to qualify for the CIF post-season playoffs.

Current Citrus Belt League standings find REV in first place at 8-1, Yucaipa second, 7-2, Redlands, third, 5-1-2, and the Steelers in fourth place at 3-3-3.

But Fontana finds itself in a battle to hold off contending Eisenhower, Rialto Carter, and Rialto. The Steelers will meet those three teams in the next two weeks to decide who claims the coveted number four spot.

“That is why we decided to save some girls who are at 80-percent now to go against the teams we must win,” Fresquez said.

The Steelers have one of the youngest lineups in the league with but one senior on the roster. And this young team has come a long way, said Fresquez, from the previous three years in which the Steelers have never finished higher than sixth in the league.

“We are a very young team with (12) juniors, four sophomores, and four freshmen,” he said. “This same team will be coming back next year. We should be a contender at the top.”

But the third-year Steelers’ coach was quick to add that the season is far from over for his young squad. “We’re still contenders for the playoffs,” Fresquez said.

Fontana plays Eisenhower (2-4-2) Wednesday at home. In their first league meeting, the Steelers tied the Eagles, 0-0. Then on Friday they travel to Yucaipa (7-2). And next week Fontana wraps up league play at Carter (2-5-2) on Wednesday, whom they beat, 2-1, on Jan. 15th, and on Friday, they host Rialto (2-5-1), a team they defeated, 3-2, in their first meeting.