OROVILLE – Oroville’s girls soccer team played a solid second half in its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 13, generating plenty of offensive chances and allowing just two goals.

Unfortunately, the Hornets trailed 6-0 at the half, having allowed three goals in the opening eight minutes of play to dig an insurmountable hole and fell 8-0

“Our defensive line has two new players, and it really showed,” said Oroville coach Laura Kinman. “It will take some time for them to get accustomed to each other.”

Though the Hornets ended up without a score, they did have several legitimate scoring chances in the second half, including a number by Kaitlyn Grunst, who had a free kick go off the crossbar, as well as a penalty kick that went wide.

Megan Moralez’s aggressive play also resulted in several near-scoring chances.

“The girls definitely played more offense int he second half,” Kinman said. “Our midfielders werw able to create more opportunities for the forwards. We had good shots on goal, and were very unlucky to not ‘finish.'”

The Hornets (0-2) were scheduled to face Manson on Tuesday, Sept. 18, then host Entiat on Sept. 20.

“The girls are very much improving,” Kinman said. “They have a ‘never give up’ attitude they should be proud of.”

Girls soccer standings / scores / schedules

Oroville’s Lily Hilderbrand gets around a Bridgeport defender.

Megan Moralez heads the ball over a Bridgeport defender, but can’t quite get it past Fillie goalkeeper Ericelda Dominguez in the second half of last Thursday’s contest.

Oroville’s Alexa Werner cuts off Bridgeport’s Deycy Monje-Lopez in the first half of Thursday’s contest.