Jasmin Varela recorded five saves in the loss

The John Burroughs Bears kicked off the Robert Sanchez era but fell to the Marlborough Mustangs 1-0 as Zoe Piper scored the go-ahead goal in the seventh minute of play in the second half. Jasmin Varela had five saves and only allowed one goal in the loss for the Bears. Morgan Crosby had four saves in net and held Burroughs to no goals for a clean sheet in the contest. 

Heading into the new season Marlborough finished last Winter with a 9-9-1 overall record and 5-3 in the Sunshine League with an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division three playoffs before falling to Santa Paula 6-2 in the opening round. Burroughs, a season ago, finished with a 9-8 overall record and a 9-5 record in Pacific League play which included a play-in appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division five playoffs which was dropped to Channel Islands in penalty kicks. 

Both teams were held off the scoresheet in the first half of play but there were missed opportunities to score on both sides. Eloise Shin missed a shot that was wide left in the 32nd minute. Maya Pelaez missed a goal-scoring chance in the 37th minute and Sydney Kalan missed one in the 39th minute. Following Zoe Piper’s goal to start the 2nd half Varela recorded a save shot in the 14th minute and kept the game close for the Bears. 

“We really played well even though this is a scrimmage we’re working on the girls getting ready for the season,” said Bears Coach Robert Sanchez. Sanchez called Jasmine Varela an amazing athlete when asked about his choice to try her out as goalkeeper and also admitted that goalie wasn’t her first choice to play. 

Both teams will return to action after the Thanksgiving Holiday and play games to get the season going on Tuesday, December 3rd. Marlborough will take on Crossroads with kick-off time still to be determined while Burroughs will host Pasadena Polly with game time scheduled for 4:00 p.m.