Gila Ridge wins third straight with victory over San Luis

After dropping its first seven games, Gila Ridge is on a bit of a hot streak.

The Hawks have won their last three games including Thursday night's 2-0 win over San Luis.

Gila Ridge captain Sheridan Smith scored both of the Hawks' goals in the contest.

“I think we've been passing a lot and working on offense a lot so it's just been creating more opportunities,” Smith said. “We've been working on that a lot at practice. Overall I think we're doing well, it's a three-game winning streak now so we've got to keep that going.”

Smith is a junior and the late-season turn around has shown their coach John Gronbach that they still have faith in the program.

“When you're 0-7, it's easy for everyone to think the season's over,” Gronbach said. “But a lot of shout-outs definitely to the seniors. We're not going to make state but they never gave up and they're playing for the girls for next year and trying to create something here.”

After sharing possession for most of the first half, Gila Ridge dominated the second half, keeping the ball in San Luis' penalty box most of the night. The Hawks pounded shot after shot after shot, but unfortunately for them, not very many were on frame.

“(San Luis) is in the same situation where they're not winning much,” Gronbach said. “So it's easy to lose your shape and say I'm going to do my own thing, what coach is telling us isn't going to win. But clearly they're well coached and they didn't lose their shape. They did force some difficult shots. The girls get frustrated and kind of get off their pattern and start trying difficult shots rather than a simple pass.”

With a single mighty kick that seemed to release all her frustration, Smith blasted her second goal of the night in the 69th minute.

“You can always get frustrated in a match, you just have to stay positive,” Smith said. “I just kept going, kept going, so when I made that shot it was kind of a relief. I was excited.”

Smith is one of four juniors who will be returning next year and is trying to put an emphasis finishing the year strong.

“It's showing our program that we have some faith since we have a new coach. It just shows we didn't give up on the season. Most teams get down and just give up.”

San Luis took a big hit early when Andrea Delgado took a hard hit and couldn't get up for almost 10 minutes.

“It was just her shoulder,” said San Luis coach Alan Sanchez. “I don't know if it's dislocated. The trainer didn't say anything. Hopefully she's fine for the next game. That was definitely a difference.”