Roblero's goal gives Sunny Hills win over Troy

FULLERTON - With the score tied late in the second half of a league opener that had the feel of a playoff contest, Sunny Hills senior Lauren Roblero made the most of the scoring chance that had eluded her to that point.

Roblero scored on a breakaway goal with less than 10 minutes left as the Lancers edged Troy, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon in Freeway League game at Troy High.

“It was the one chance I got all game and I just tried to beat the goalie and finish it,” Roblero said. “We know that Troy is one of the teams that we have to beat and winning here gives us more confidence.”

The Lancers (12-2-1) came out aggressive in the first half, and their defense limited the Warriors (10-3-3, 0-1) to only three shots and denied good runs toward the net.

After not capitalizing on some of their own early scoring chances, the Lancers caught a break that helped them take the lead midway through the half.

Senior Audrey Mc Kay lofted a shot that floated over the head of Warriors junior goalie Katie Rumfola and hit the crossbar. As the ball was beginning to bounce away, Rumfola’s momentum carried her backward and the ball deflected off her and into the net, giving Sunny Hills a 1-0 lead it carried into intermission.

The Warriors opened the second half strong. Junior Lauren Mellano and sophomore forwards Alyx Williams and Maya Jackson helped the Warriors shut down the Lancers' passing lanes and contain ball movement, while setting up scoring chances in the box.

The Warriors finally capitalized midway through the half as Jackson got control of a loose ball in front of the goal and shot it past Lancers junior goalie Kayla Neujahr, making it 1-1.

After the teams traded scoring opportunities, the Lancers took advantage of their best chance of the half. Senior Melani Serrata sent a low line drive pass that found Roblero streaking down the middle of the field. Her shot found the right corner of the net, giving Sunny Hills the winning goal.

“We knew that they would come out strong in the second half and we just had to weather the storm,” Lancers coach Jeff Gordon said. “We’re real happy to get that first league win, but we know our next game will be just as difficult.”

Warriors coach Ed Kephart credited energy of the Lancers as a key factor.

“They had a lot of energy out there and that really pushed them on,” he said. “We’re not happy that we got beat and we’ll take this as a learning experience.”

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com