Lady Cards soccer gets off on right foot

The Corning girls soccer team started its season with two exciting games this week for first-year head coach Asa Robinson, hosting Gridley on Monday and traveling to Colusa on Tuesday.

The Lady Cardinals clipped Gridley in the season opener, 3-2. Nicole Mason scored two goals, both assisted by Maggie Ramirez, including the go-ahead score late in the second half.

Corning held Gridley scoreless after the break, with 13 blocked shots by goalkeeper Tristen Huntley and strong defensive efforts by Leesandra Palos and sisters Angela Torres, Karen Torres and Noemi Torres.

Ramirez also scored a goal of her own, assisted by younger sister Cassie Ramirez.

Colusa managed to withstand the Corning invasion, as the Lady Cards went home with a 2-1 defeat.

"That was a tough, physical game and we responded well," Robinson said. "They were both really exciting games."

The Torres triumvirate, along with teammates Taylor Statton and Jordin Wazny formed a wall to stifle Colusa's offense in the second half after the Lady Redskins took a 2-0 lead.

Mayra Sanchez scored Corning's goal on an assist from Cynthia Ramirez, but the Lady Cards' rally fell short.

"During the second half, Corning did a good job of putting pressure on Colusa and winning a lot of balls," Robinson said.

Huntley finished the afternoon with 13 saves.

Colusa is coming off a Division III championship, going undefeated in 2008-09 with a mark of 18-0-2.

Corning (1-1) returns from the Thanksgiving break to host Orland Tuesday at 3 p.m.