By Mary DeMartini

Pleasanton RAGE vs Monterey Bay Sirens
RAGE welcomes fans for Pride Night featuring live music, mocktails, and vendors

FINAL SCORE: Pleasanton RAGE 0, Monterey Bay Sirens 1

Stanford Medicine Sports Complex: RAGE recorded its third loss this season against Sirens. Despite controlling the ball for the majority of the match, and creating many scoring opportunities through corners and shots on goal, RAGE was unable to convert. This match marked Marta Pelegrin’s return to the lineup after competing in TST 7v7. Defender Ava Steven continued her trend of outstanding performances, and midfielder Rylan Park earned Player of the Match for her offensive playmaking, recording several shots and assist attempts. 

COACH’S QUOTE:

“Another dominant performance from the team saw us create around 15 goal-scoring opportunities once again,” Fawcett said. “We controlled large portions of the match and put ourselves in great positions, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal and more dynamic in and around the 18-yard box. It was fantastic to have Marta back with the group—her winning mentality, experience, and leadership had a positive impact on the team.”

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Half: 

  • 00:16 – RAGE recorded their first offensive opportunity less than 30 seconds into the match, earning a corner taken by Ashleigh Carroll. 
  • The match developed with several breakaways for both RAGE and Sirens, none of which created goals.
  • 6:10 – Two shots for Sirens are fended off by goalkeeper Sydney Head. 
  • 8:00 – RAGE fired back with a shot on goal for Carroll, followed by a cross by Pelegrin across the Siren goal. 
  • Two more shots for Sirens missed narrowly on the right goalpost side at 14:30 and 15:21. The period of Siren pressure ends when they are called offside. 
  • Pelegrin and Kyndra Obermeyer both earn shots on goal soon after, with additional offensive opportunities created by Cassie Stansberry and Katherine Tato. 
  • 29:30 – Park created a breakaway, passing the ball upfield and creating a corner taken by Carroll, with a shot soon afterwards by Jenna McDonell. Two more shots on goal for Stansberry followed soon after. 
  • 39:30 – Goal for Sirens on their second shot of the play. 
  • 43:50 – RAGE earns a final offensive opportunity of the half with a shot by Stansberry and a corner taken by Pelegrin.

Despite having multiple great offensive opportunities, RAGE was not able to score in the first half. Miscommunications, likely due to high winds and a new lineup, hindered RAGE in controlling offensive advances and moving up the field. 

Second Half: 

  • The match’s second half also began with offensive action for RAGE, with a corner in the 47th minute and a shot on goal for Carroll soon after. 
  • 57:00 – RAGE earns more scoring chances through several shots taken by Carroll. 
  • 60:20 – Lauren Racioppi records her first save of the season. 
  • Carroll and Pelegrin continued to press Sirens’ defense, with RAGE earning a corner at 67:00, leading to a shot on goal for Park. 
  • Sirens have several offensive runs for the remainder of the match, all drawing offside calls, or being stopped through RAGE defense and Racioppi. 
  • RAGE earned several more offensive opportunities, and ended regulation with a cross by Grace Sykes that nobody was able to take. 
  • Stoppage – Pelegrin earns a shot on goal early into stoppage time, but afterwards RAGE cannot penetrate the attacking third of the field. 

Throughout the half, RAGE defense successfully drew multiple offside calls, limiting Sirens to their first-half goal. RAGE had as many opportunities to score in the second half as the first, but was unable to create an equalizing goal. Despite controlling possession and dominating offensively, RAGE will enter their second match against Soul looking for their first win on the season.