Diefenbach scores twice in second half to lead Lady Jags to comeback soccer win

Kiana Diefenbach (4) scores the first of her two goals against Escondido.

Story by Dan Kidder

It took more than 40 minutes for the Valley Center varsity girls soccer team to “wake up,” according to head coach Joe Montoya, in their game against Escondido on Wednesday night.

But once they did, the Lady Jaguars gave the Lady Cougars nightmares with a pair of goals from sophomore Kiana Diefenbach and a comeback 2–1 win.

The Lady Jags had some chances early in the game, including a near miss by Vanessa Heredia, but it was Escondido that scored first, with a goal off a corner kick with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half.

“We were still asleep in the first half,” Coach Montoya said after the game. “We were not contesting, we were chasing a lot, and we were not moving forward. Our heads weren’t in the game. But at half time, I just reminded them what we’re here for, and we started connecting passes and we played much stronger.”

The Valley Center defense held strong in the opening minutes of the second half, creating chances up front for the offense. With just over 31 minutes left on the clock, the Lady Jaguars were given a free kick from 35 yards away. Savanna Reilly curled a booming kick into the box and the ball smacked off the bottom of the crossbar, just barely staying out of the net. The keeper couldn’t keep up with the bounce, and Diefenbach swooped in to bury the rebound in the back of the net to tie the game.

Escondido came right back after the score and earned a corner that led to a shot that sailed just wide of the net, and the Valley Center defense recovered to prevent any further attack.

Valley Center bounced back and, with just under 24 minutes to go, earned a corner that led to a shot that went just over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Diefenbach found some open space in the middle of the field, corralled the ball and sent a long shot past the keeper for the game-winner.

“[Diefenbach] has been playing more of an attacking mid position for us, but we had a chance to move her up front tonight,” Coach Montoya added. “She’s a scorer. Last year as a freshman, we brought her up for CIF and she scored two goals for us, so she has the scoring ability. She’s been dealing with some injuries, but she’s really come back strong.”

Next up for the Lady Jaguars is a game at Vista on Friday night at 5:15 p.m.

“We’ll need to have a lot more touches and possess the ball a little more,” Coach Montoya said of the upcoming game. “Vista only graduated a couple players, and we tied them two to two last year, so we really need to come out ready to play.”