MONTICELLO, Ark. – In what is arguably their biggest win of the season to date, the Warren Lady Jack Soccer Club dealt Monticello a 4-1 loss in the 2023 Saline River Derby Thursday evening, April 13, at Hyatt Field in Monticello.
The match was fairly balanced through the opening seven minutes. Neither team threatened in the early stages, but both shared near-equal possession.
Top photo: Azul Garcia scores Warren’s opening goal Thursday at Monticello. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.
By Rob Reep
Saline River Chronicle
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The deadlock was broken in the 8th minute. A superb individual effort was made by Warren striker Azul Garcia. The Lady Jack went through and found herself one-v-one with the keeper. She blasted a right-footed shot to the left of the goalie who was able to get a hand to the ball but not strong enough to keep it out. The orange and black led 1-0.
At the other end, Warren keeper Valeria Navarro made an outstanding save in the 15th minute to hold onto Warren’s advantage.
In the 28th, Warren struck again. This time winger Angie Cortes played a through ball to Garcia who buried it far post. The shot was very similar to her first, but the keeper this time had no connection whatsoever. Warren led 2-0.
Just a minute later, Garcia essentially put the match to rest. Tessa Andrus took a 40-yard free kick from the away side of the field. Her ball into the box was dangerous, and Monticello failed to clear. Garcia beat the Lady Billie Central defender and tapped home from close range. The goal also secured Garcia’s hat trick.
Warren was in complete control by that point. The orange and black were winning nearly every dual. Warren’s back four smothered every potential opportunity Monticello ventured forward to try. Andrus, in particular, was all over the Monticello forward line, never giving them a respite.
The Lady Jacks led 3-0 at the half.
Garcia almost claimed her fourth in the 48th, but the shot missed high by about a foot.
Monticello pulled one back in the 58th, but Garcia was having no part in allowing a comeback. She scored her fourth of the afternoon in the 63rd minute through a dashing 40-yard run before putting it into the net.
Garcia earned Que Lindo Michoacan Lady of the Match honors for her impressive performance.
Monticello was awarded a penalty with eight minutes to go, but the spot-kick hit the top bar and ricocheted out.
Warren’s Lady Jacks won at the final whistle 4-1 over Monticello.
The Lady Jacks improve to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the 4A East Conference. They are back in action Friday on the road at Hamburg. Kickoff is set for 5:00 pm.