Itzel Gonzalez Saves The Day, Arlina Montes Scores as Xolos Femenil Get First Win Of Clausura 2018
Credit: Liga MX Femenil
Xolos Femenil have abandoned the cellar and have achieved their first win in the Liga MX Femenil Clausura 2018.
The border city team visited Monarcas Morelia at the Estadio Morelos this Saturday in what was going to be a close game. The contest was very hard-fought, but Andrea Rodebaugh’s team came home with a 1-0 win versus La Monarquia.
The Mexican head coach only made one adjustment to her lineup that was used last week. Nubia Ayala replaced Sarai Kim, but the rest of the starting 11 was the same one that tied 1-1 against Veracruz.
One of the defining moments in the match came in the 65th minute when Arlina Montes scored her first of the year to help the Xoloitzcuintles get the three points from the game. This was just Montes’ second start this season, but she already looks to be a promising player. The 22-year-old is playing in her first Liga MX Femenil season, but should be a player that Andrea Rodebaugh considers for the rest of this tournament.
The heroine of the day for the Xolos women’s team was the goalkeeper, Itzel Gonzalez. The former UCSD student has looked great in between the sticks all season for the border city team and was a factor in this result. Morelia was given a penalty in stoppage time towards the end of the match after a foul by Gonzalez on Morelia’s Mirsha Mejia. Dalia Molina was chosen to take the penalty for the home team, but the Mexican goalkeeper saved the day by stopping the penalty to lead Xolos to their first win this season.
It has not been an ideal Clausura 2018 for Andrea Rodeabugh’s side, but it’s moments like these that show the potential the team has. This franchise is building towards a successful future by giving minutes to young players and there will be these exciting moments and games along the way.
Club Tijuana has abandoned last place and is now 13th overall in the league and seventh in Group 1 of the competition.
Xolos’ Lineup
Itzel Gonzalez, Daniela Vidal, Stephanie Rodriguez, Nubia Ayala, Patricia Gutierrez, Ericka Soto, Samantha Arellano, Rosa Aguiar, Cinthia Huerta (57’ Valentina Oviedo), Sheila Pulido (72’ Karen Maprigat), Arlina Montes (79’ Valeria Barajas)
21 years old, born and raised in San Diego, roots from Tlaxcala, Mexico. Casual baseball, football and basketball fan but soccer is my true passion. Excited to bring you coverage of Club Tijuana for EVT!