Warrior girls soccer team ends year with 2-1 home loss

Up 1-0 until late in the second half

Del Norte High senior Molly Lambert, left, during a Tuesday game. Del Norte Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Playing the Illinois Valley Cougars of Oregon at home in gorgeous weather Tuesday, the Warriors took a 1-0 lead at the half.

In the second half, Del Norte continued to maintain the lead with around six minutes left in the contest, and it appeared  they would earn their second victory of the season.

But in the final five minutes the Cougars scored two goals, including one with around a minute remaining, to snatch the game away from the Warriors, 2-1.

Both teams were evenly matched for around the first 30 minutes of the contest as neither could find a clear opportunity to earn a goal.

Around the 35th minute of the first half, the Warriors took advantage of a scoring opportunity.

On a corner kick,  senior Hanna Dykes found Molly Lambert, who was able to put in a shot for the score as the home fans and her teammates gave up a host of cheers.

“Nice teamwork girls,” a fan yelled, while a teammate could be heard from the sidelines yelling, “Good job Molly!”

Del Norte head coach Clar Byers was pleased with the first half performance of his team.

“They were consistent and did a good job passing the ball,” he said.

In the second half, it was another battle as both teams had their chances to score.

With time running out it appeared that the Warriors would hold on for the victory.

But two goals scored in the final five minutes ended those dreams.

“It was a defensive breakdown,” Byers said.

While it would have been nice to have earned the win, overall Byers was pleased with the play of his team. Del Norte ended the season 1-14-2.