The San Diego Strikers continued with their impressive play to start the 2022 WPSL season thanks to a dominating 5-0 win over Breakaway SC on Sunday at Mission Bay High School. The Strikers are now 3-0-0 and have a goal differential of +11 putting them in first place of the Plymouth Division, which they won last season.
The team dominated the first half of play despite Breakaway SC creating a few scoring chances early on that they were unable to capitalize on thanks to the outstanding play from goalkeeper Kelcie Brodsky and quick reactions by the defenders.
“Defensively we continue to work hard behind the ball and after three games we only allowed one goal,” said Strikers head coach Ray Taila.
The first goal of the match came in the 24th minute courtesy of forward Shelby Bush with the assist from midfielder Jayden Montejano, which was followed up by a goal inside the box that found the top-right corner of the net by midfielder Hannah Lee in the 32nd minute.
San Diego would tack on one more before the end of the first half courtesy of forward Ava Seelenfreund who was able to beat goalkeeper Isabella Hara in the 41st minute for the 3-0 lead at halftime.
Both teams made substitutions to start the second half but the Strikers were still controlling the tempo of the match with Seelenfreund scoring her second goal in the 58th minute from point blank range after a fabulous run down the right side by teammate Jordyn DiCintio, who beat the defenders and then passed it inside the box for the assist.
San Diego closed out the scoring in the 64th minute when midfielder Soledad Gomez found herself wide open in the middle of the box tapping the ball in the back if the net for the 5-0 final.
“The performance of the team was great,” Taila added. “We are loaded with talent and depth. We can score from different positions and averaging four goals a game.”
The Strikers now go on the road to play against So Cal Dutch Lions Saturday, June 11 at Army and Navy Academy. The Dutch Lions and San Diego Strikers played each other twice last season with the Strikers winning both by a score of 2-0.
Photo courtesy: David Frerker
