Santa Fe girls soccer defeats Eastside 1-0 to open season

Santa Fe girls soccer defeated the Eastside Rams 1-0 Tuesday night to open the season, WRUF 98.1 FM reported, with freshman Ansley Jett scoring the only goal halfway into the first half at Eastside.

After going 1-16-1 last season, the Raiders entered this year determined to flip the script, and Tuesday’s shutout — backed by a defense that allowed just two shots all night — delivered exactly that. It is a small sample size against a single opponent, but for a program that lost nearly every game a year ago, an opening-night clean sheet is the kind of result that changes how a young roster believes in itself.

A Goal That Snuck Past the Keeper

Jett’s goal came when the ball was placed low and into the corner, slipping past the Eastside goalkeeper. Santa Fe peppered the net all evening — 22 shots on goal — but could only put one away. Still, the Raiders controlled the game, holding a majority of possession and limiting Eastside to two shots, both saved by goalie Delaney Desalvo.

Santa Fe lost both games at the 22nd Twin Lakes Preseason Classic hosted by Keystone Heights on Saturday, falling 4-0 to Keystone Heights and 1-0 to Williston. Those two losses turned into a “W” on Tuesday, and the contrast between the tournament and the opener tells its own story about a team still finding its footing.

Building a Young Defense

Much of the credit goes to a back line that has been the focus of deliberate work. Coach Shawn Kowatch said a defensive assistant coach was added to the staff to help develop the strength of his young team.

“We’ve really been establishing that back line and how we move in that back line, and it’s shown to be phenomenal,” Kowatch said. “We’re really stepping up on that defensive side.”

The numbers back him up: two shots allowed, both stopped.

A Roster Built for Growth

Kowatch is practically starting over this season with a young squad. Of the 26 players, only one is a senior and four are juniors. The second-year coach is focused on development over short-term results.

“We really preach family to them, so we’re working hard to grow,” Kowatch said.

One goal is not a comfortable lead for most teams, but holding it against 22 shots of pressure is precisely the habit a rebuilding program needs.

Next Up: P.K. Yonge on Thursday

Santa Fe will play at P.K. Yonge (1-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday, a road test against unbeaten P.K. Yonge. A win there would put Santa Fe at 2-0 and give the young roster a win after a 1-16-1 season.

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