Both the girls and boys Jackson soccer teams began the 2022 campaign in undefeated fashion with 4 wins each.
GIRLS
Jackson 4, Green River 1
The Lady Broncs first goal against Green River Thursday was a beauty, and so indicative of how this team will play all season Coach Kristen Pizarro’s notion to load the backline is already paying dividends.
A harmless-looking ball headed toward Jackson’s end was intercepted by d-back Natalie Joralemon, who turned it upfield to Phoebe Alva Rosa. Alva Rosa made a spin-a-rama move to split two Lady Wolves defenders before she fed the ball up the middle to a streaking and alone Taya McClennen. McClennen took it from there and just like that it was 1-0 Jackson.
The Lady Broncs went on to secure a 4-1 victory on the road Thursday over Green River.
Jackson 4, Rock Springs 3
The biggest test of the season awaited Saturday as the Lady Broncs faced defending state champs in the Rock Spring Lady Tigers at home.
Jackson sure looked like a group awed by the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. The Lady Broncs played from behind all game long, but erasing deficits quickly.
First to score were the Lady Tigers on a rocket just under the bar that Jackson goalie Sidney Nash had no chance on. But the Lady Broncs were quick to respond after left winger Ella Sternberg just missed clicking on a stretch pass from Alva Rose just beyond her reach. Then, the speedy freshman almost got to a Nash clearing kick for another scoring opportunity.
Finally, it was the savvy veteran Alva Rosa who fired in a 25-yarder for the tying goal.
Rock Springs was back in the lead after a gorgeous crossing pass from senior Kylee Knudsen to fellow senior Brecken Hunsacker, who finished the play with a header past Nash for a 2-1 Rock Springs lead.
Minutes later, Jackson was back even after a refrain that is sure to be worn out this season: ‘Alva Rosa to McClennen’ for the 2-2 tie.
Late in the second half, Lady Tiger Ella Brewster made an impossible angle crossing pass that somehow found its way past Nash for a 3-2 Rock Springs advantage, but that was the last time the Lady Tigers would enjoy a lead.
McClennen worked her way methodically to the Rock Springs goal, beating several defenders, before her shot was saved and sophomore Eva Flanagan pounced on the rebound for the tying score.
Just minutes later, sophomore Albany McCooey found herself all alone on the left wing when a pass came right to her and she buried the game winner for her first goal of the season.
BOYS
Jackson 4, Green River 0
The boys took care of business Thursday against the overmatched Wolves. Sahir Romero tallied twice, Charlie Hoelscher added a goal and an assist, and Rutley Heinemann also scored in the 4-0 white-washing of the Wolves. Teddy Opler and Dilan Tzompa-Perez also contributed an assist apiece.
Jackson 3, Rock Springs 1
The Broncs wasted little time getting out front against Rock Springs at home on Saturday. Opler scored a gimme penalty kick less than 2 minutes into the game after Tiger goalie Hudson Conrad guessed left and Opler dunked it in right for the 1-0 lead.
Rock Springs answered late in the first half to even things 1-1 and carried that momentum into the second half before Tzompa-Perez fired a laser off the top bar from 30 yards out to make it 2-1 Jackson with 27 minutes left in regulation.
With 22:30 left in the match, Jackson sealed the win with a beautiful lead pass from Tzompa-Perez to Opler, who potted it for a 3-1 lead.
Next up
Both the Jackson girls (4-0, 3-0) and the boys (4-0, 3-0) begin the 2022 season without a loss as they head to spring break. Both clubs head to Casper on April 8-9 for games with Natrona County and Kelly Walsh.
