Pirates humble Orland

With 20 minutes left to play in Wednesday's game against Orland, Wheatland High girls soccer coach Pierre Preaseau called out some encouragement to star striker Shazakia Poe-lyde.

“Good job Shazakia,” he yelled. “You're playing a whale of a game today.”

“Obviously not good enough,” she yelled back. “Don't got any goals, yet.”

Noemi Colmeneras had a goal and an assist to lead the undefeated Pirates (13-0-1, 4-0-1) to a 2-0 Butte View League over the visiting Trojans (1-6-4, 1-3).

Kylee Peters also scored a goal, and Poe-lyde had an assist.

Poe-lyde, who leads the Northern Section in scoring with 19 goals, had seven shots on goal - two from five yards away - but came up empty.

“I think she expects to score,” Preaseau said, “but I also think she played very well today. She did a really good job creating opportunities for other people.”

Wheatland dominated the game from the outset but had trouble getting the ball past Orland keeper Josefina Rosales, who made saves on the Pirates' first seven shots on goal.

But then Poe-lyde connected with Colmeneras with five minutes remaining in the first half to break the scoreless tie.

Poe-lyde started the play by controlling a loose ball near the right sideline. She dribbled toward the corner and then drew the ball back behind a defender to create a clear passing lane.

Her cross found Colmeneras at the top of the penalty box, and she turned on a defender and blasted a right-footed shot from 16-yards out that rocketed past Rosales and inside the left post for the Pirates' first goal.

“(Colmeneras) is just a sophomore, but technically she's really good, and she can score too,” Preaseau said.

It was Colmeneras' 11th goal of the season.

Colmeneras showed some passing ability of her own just six minutes into the second half on a beautiful ball into the box from the right sideline that found a streaking Peters, who's first touch was a right-footed drive past Rosales for Peters' second goal of the season and a 2-0 Wheatland lead.

“And (Peters) is left-footed,” Preaseau said. “That was the amazing thing. She hit it with her right foot and scored.”

Led by Jessica Daugherty and Ashley Claar, who shared time

at sweeper, and stopper Carmen Thomas, the Pirates were dominant on defense, allowing just four shots on goal and only one from within the penalty box.

“Defensively we did a good job bottling everything up,” Preaseau said.

Goalie Mia Bulanan recorded the shutout, her ninth of the season.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Nathan D. Collier can be reached at 749-4714. You may e-mail him at ncollier@appeal-democrat.com.