Benedictine Mesa faced heavy pressure from The Master's in the first half but displayed remarkable resilience, thanks to the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Josephine Cisneros. From the outset, The Master's applied relentless offensive pressure, beginning with a corner kick in the second minute. Despite several fouls and numerous scoring opportunities created by The Master's, Cisneros was a wall, making crucial saves to keep the game level. A pivotal moment came in the 39th minute when Elena Rivera made a critical defensive save, clearing a shot that could have broken the deadlock.
Substitutions in the 25th minute, including the introductions of Dahlia Alonso and Anais Valle, helped stabilize Benedictine's defense under constant attack. As the half progressed, The Master's offense continued to press, but their shots either went wide or were blocked, leaving the score 0-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Benedictine Mesa came out determined to make their mark. After another early save by Cisneros, Benedictine broke through in the 52nd minute. A well-executed free kick by Julia Bodelasse and an assist from Cahryn Rod set up Brylee Rod, who calmly slotted home the opening goal to give Benedictine a 1-0 lead. The defense, anchored by Elena Rivera and Cisneros, remained solid throughout the half, with Cisneros making several more key saves.
Despite increasing pressure from The Master's, Benedictine's defense held firm, with shots either missing the target or being stopped by Cisneros. Substitutions, including the return of Cahryn Rod and the introduction of Kanoelani Quintal, provided fresh energy to withstand the late onslaught. However, in the 87th minute, The Master's was awarded a penalty kick, which allowed them to level the score at 1-1.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Benedictine Mesa showcasing resilience, particularly through the standout performances of Cisneros and the defense, though they ultimately conceded a late equalizer.
Key Performers:
Looking Ahead: The Redhawks return to action on Thursday, October 24th, as they face Life Pacific on the road.
