Ladycats soccer starts league schedule with sweep of Whittell

The White Pine High School girls soccer team got the league season started the right way with a two-match sweep at Whittell over the weekend of Aug. 28 and 29. The Ladycats netted four goals in each game, with sophomore Laila Trujillo and junior captain Jillian Bath responsible for all eight of the team’s goals scored.

“I think we had a really strong start as a team. The girls played well together and competed hard both days,” said WPHS head coach Jose Martinez. “Individually, Laila Trujillo had a great weekend with a hat trick on Friday and another two goals Saturday. Jill also had a strong weekend with a goal and an assist Friday, then two more goals Saturday.”

On Friday, the Ladycats broke the century mark with 102 steals. Senior Ainsley Giles led White Pine with 15, Jazlene Kanavel had 14, and Emma Caldwell and Reese Maestes both had 10. Maestes added an assist and put all three of her shots on goal. 

Saturday was a similar story, with the Ladycats logging 96 steals, Maestes assisting on a goal and taking the ball away 10 times, and Giles adding an assist to go with another 11 steals. The team put 30 of 41 shot attempts on goal. 

“Defensively, Emma Caldwell had an amazing performance both days, along with Ainsley Giles, Aubree Sumrall, and Addison Pekuri. Overall, I’m really proud of how the girls played, but we still have a lot we can improve on as we keep moving through the season,” Martinez said.

The defending 2A state champion Ladycats (2-4, 2-0) host the Dayton Dust Devils (2-0) at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5.