Fowler proves its 23-4-1 record and No. 2 seed are the real thing in 5-0 playoff win
Fowler High girls soccer coach Richard Gonzales wasn’t sure what type of game Reedley High would bring to their CIF Central Section Division IV opener Wednesday evening.
“We’ve been looking at some of their results and we weren’t sure what to expect because they put up some good scores against some good squads,” said Gonzales of an opponent that came in with a 6-13-4 record.
It didn’t help that teams are gunning for second-seeded Fowler.
Gonzales didn’t have long to wait. Junior Jacqueline Rocha shouldered in a corner kick in the eighth minute of play to give Fowler the only goal it would need.
The Redcats, however, added two goals by senior Damaris López, the 44th goal of the season by sophomore Melayna Vásquez, and an excuse-my-pass by junior Katelyn Shoopman that floated into the far side of the net in a 5-0 win.
“We ended up making some things happen,” said Gonzales, who got to rest some regular players who were banged up during the season.
The reward is a second-round home matchup on Friday against Lindsay High, which is responsible for one of the blemishes on Fowler’s 23-4-1 record.
Lindsay scored a 2-1 tournament win over Fowler in December; but Fowler owns a 6-4 victory in November against Lindsay in a match where Vásquez scored all six goals.
“We’re definitely aware of who’s coming up, but we’re not afraid by any means,” said Gonzales about the Division IV competition. Top-seeded Fresno Christian has two victories against Fowler.
The other Fowler loss came at the hands of Exeter High, the top seed in Division III.
Gonzales didn’t have to rely that much on López, the team’s leading assist maker. Nor did he have to count on Vásquez for goals. She is among the top 50 scorers in the nation.
López is a four-year player who leads the team in assists and steals, and second in goals.
“She does everything for us,” said Gonzalez, who has to make sure López doesn’t feel like she has to carry the team.
“Because it’s her senior year and she’s been with us for so long, she kind of feels pressured to take on more and kind of do it herself,” said Gonzales.
“If we keep her focused and on her game, she’s tough to handle.”
Vásquez, who scored 23 goals as a freshman, is always a scoring threat.
“She created some opportunities tonight. We’ll get her the ball and she’ll get more goals in the playoffs,” said Gonzales.
Fowler High has four Division V titles, but hasn’t fared as well since moving into Division IV in 2018.
Gonzales, who has an overall 122-28-7 record in five years as Fowler’s head coach, thinks this year’s team is “pretty special.”
“This is probably the most talented squad we’ve had since 2017, our last Valley title,” he said. “Our schedule has prepared us for the playoffs.”
