Maresa Diaz takes possession of the ball and makes a swift run down the middle field. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)
SPRING CREEK – Despite heavy rain that led to the cancellation of other school games, Spring Creek and Eastern Wayne battled through challenging conditions in a high-intensity matchup. Eastern Wayne capitalized on their opportunities and secured a 5-2 victory over the Gators, maintaining their strong season record at 8-1-1.
Spring Creek fought with resilience, keeping the game competitive through two goals from forward Melanie Reyes Melende. However, Eastern Wayne’s offensive firepower, led by a dominant performance from Taylor Waters, proved too much to overcome.
The game kicked off with Eastern Wayne asserting early pressure. Just over a minute into play, Waters broke through the Spring Creek defense and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ariana Ponce, giving the Warriors a quick 1-0 lead. Spring Creek responded with defensive intensity, with defenders Maresa Diaz, Lucero Velasquez, and Betzaida Cabrera-Lopez working together to block Eastern Wayne’s advances.
Spring Creek’s first offensive opportunity came in the 34th minute when Emily Reyes sprinted down the left flank, but the ball went out of play before she could set up a shot. Minutes later, Yadira Castañeda Ponce attempted a strike on goal, but her shot was off target.
Eastern Wayne continued to press forward, and at the 31-minute mark, Waters struck again, driving a powerful shot into the back of the net to extend the Warriors’ lead to 2-0. The goal shifted momentum in Eastern Wayne’s favor as they controlled possession and limited Spring Creek’s offensive chances.
However, Spring Creek found a breakthrough at the 16-minute mark when Reyes Melende capitalized on a defensive lapse by Eastern Wayne. Pushing past the last defender, she found an opening and drilled a shot past goalkeeper Daynet Cevallos, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Gators gained confidence from the goal and pushed for an equalizer. At the 12-minute mark, midfielders Mariana Torres Castañeda and Lucero Velasquez linked up in the center of the field, threading a pass to Elisa Mendoza, who fired a shot on goal. Cevallos, however, made a crucial save, denying Spring Creek a chance to level the match before halftime.
The remainder of the half saw Eastern Wayne regain control, with Waters and Jessalyn Vicente testing Spring Creek’s defense. Goalkeeper Ponce made a key stop with five minutes remaining, keeping the score at 2-1 heading into halftime.
The second half started with Eastern Wayne immediately ramping up their attack. Less than eight minutes in, Waters completed her hat trick, driving a shot past Ponce to push the Warriors’ lead to 3-1. The goal gave Eastern Wayne an extra boost, and they continued to apply relentless pressure.
Spring Creek, however, refused to back down. Just two minutes later, Reyes Melende struck again, weaving through defenders and firing a precise shot into the net. Her second goal of the night brought the score to 3-2, keeping the Gators within striking distance.
Spring Creek nearly equalized at the 27-minute mark when Mendoza received a cross from Nina Zepeda and unleashed a shot from the top of the box. Cevallos reacted quickly, diving to her left to make a fingertip save.
The game remained tight for the next 15 minutes, with both teams battling for possession in midfield. Spring Creek’s Rosa Cabrera Flores and Torres Castañeda worked to slow down Eastern Wayne’s attack, while Vicente and Waters continued to probe for openings.
With under six minutes left, Eastern Wayne delivered a decisive blow. Midfielder Melany Diaz Carballo found space outside the penalty area and struck a well-placed shot past Ponce, extending the Warriors’ lead to 4-2.
Spring Creek pushed forward in the closing minutes, but Eastern Wayne’s defense, anchored by Geralyn Ramey and Akayla Rodriguez, kept them at bay. In the final moments of the match, Waters capped off her stellar performance with a fourth goal, sealing Eastern Wayne’s 5-2 victory.
Waters was the standout performer, tallying four goals and consistently threatening Spring Creek’s defense. Vicente also contributed with a goal and two assists, while Diaz Carballo added an assist and a strong presence in midfield.
For Spring Creek, Reyes Melende’s two-goal performance highlighted the Gators’ attacking potential. Defenders Diaz, Velasquez, and Cabrera-Lopez played crucial roles in limiting Eastern Wayne’s attack for most of the match, while goalkeeper Ponce recorded multiple saves despite facing heavy pressure.
Cevallos played a critical role in goal for Eastern Wayne, making six saves and keeping Spring Creek from converting key scoring opportunities.
With this win, Eastern Wayne strengthened their position in conference play, while Spring Creek demonstrated resilience and determination despite the loss. Both teams will look ahead to their upcoming matches as they continue their season campaigns.
