Hartnell blanks MPC for 13th win

Glenn Cravens, The Salinas Californian

If it was the final home game of the 2014 season for the Hartnell College women's soccer team, they finished with a bang.

The Panthers wrapped up one of its best regular seasons ever, shutting out rival MPC 4-0 Friday afternoon.

The win boosted Hartnell to 13-5-3 overall and 8-3-1 in the Coast Conference South Division. It didn't know its division championship fate immediately, given that the division match featuring Cabrillo and Foothill was happening at the same time.

What the Panthers did know was that they greatly helped their chances to get into the Northern California playoffs, which start later this month.

The MPC defense did all it could to frustrate Hartnell, but the home team eventually broke through.

In the 20th minute, Maritza Nava got Hartnell on the board. She received a long pass from about 40 yards out and broke past two MPC players defending her. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Nava lofted the ball out of reach and toward the net, giving Hartnell a 1-0 lead.

"We were all nervous," said Nava, who scored her team-leading 14th goal. "We wanted to score really quickly."

Four minutes later, Hartnell extended its lead. Santana Rodriguez ran with the ball toward the box as players from both teams closed in. Ready to strike, she slipped. When she got back up, she saw an opening between all of the bodies, firing it in for a goal.

Those were the only two goals in the first 45 minutes, although Hartnell had plenty of breakaway opportunities.

Hartnell didn't let up to start the second half, getting a breakaway chance in the 47th minute. In the 49th minute, Nava got a steal from 25 yards out and fired the ball wide to the right.

Nothing materialized, but Hartnell continued to control the pace of the game.

Monterey posted a chance in the 79th minute. Maria Delgado was on the left side of the field and got the ball on a pass. She cut back to the center of the field, losing the Hartnell defender that was draped on her. She closed in and booted the ball at Stanton, who batted it straight down before securing it.

Hartnell added to its lead with 10 minutes to go. Adreanna Sharrah came in for Nava and immediately saw action, getting a pass above her head from about 50 yards out. She secured it and sprinted free. With one player to beat, Sharrah went low with her shot attempt, and the ball kissed the netting.

In the 85th minute, Karina Alvarez, Hartnell's second-leading scorer, let it rip from about 35 yards away.

There were plenty of positive feelings from Hartnell the rest of the way. After the game, the players thanked the fans and then crowded around for a group picture, selfie style.

"I was really excited," Rodriguez said after the game. "We want to go into the playoffs with a happy vibe."

Hartnell will know its playoff fate in the next few days.

http://www.thecalifornian.com/story/sports/2014/11/15/hartnell-womens-soccer-blanks-mpc-th-win/19079863/