By Eileen Kirk (See Gasps Greet Dramatic Win, below)

The Frazier Mountain High School boys varsity soccer team delivered big with a 6-1 win against Desert and a heartstopping 2-2 tie against longtime rival Bishop last week. The Falcons’ daunting defense held Desert to one goal in the final minutes on January 10.

In a close-up battle with the goalie, Joe Molina scored on an assist by Antonio Saenz. Then Molina lofted a header over the keeper off a throwin from Gregory Kirk. Tyler Geike scored on an assist by Josh Regan. Justin Geike scored with an assist by Kirk.

Late in the game Saenz dropped a back-pass to Kirk, who drilled the ball 18-yards into the bottom left corner.

In the ending minutes Saenz picked up a pass from Tyler Geike, dribbled through multiple players, then nailed the final goal for the 6-1 victory.

On January 12 the Falcons greeted their longtime rivals, the Bishop Broncos, at Falcon Field.

Bishop scored first in a tension- filled game.

Kirk scored off an impressive give-and-go from Juan Mejia. But a controversial offsides call nullified the goal, leaving the Falcons down 0-1 at the half.

Stephen Ryan, Josh Regan, Ryan Raymond, Chase Hawes and Justin Geike shut down several shots on goal.

Keeper Orion Zorich racked-up ten saves. Bishop scored again but—being down 0-2 late in the game—didn’t faze the indomitable Falcons. Ryan pulled the defense forward and helped the midfield stream the ball toward Bishop’s goal.

The relentless pounding paid off when Molina slipped a sly side-pass to Kirk, who curved the ball around the goalie.

The Falcons dogged Bishop fiercely. They fouled Mejia in the final seconds inside the box for a penalty kick and an opportunity to tie a team who’d consistently beaten the Falcons for six years.

As Kirk set up for the penalty shot, the pressure was palpable. Some players sank to the ground, others couldn’t watch.

When Kirk slid the ball past the goalie, the deafening roar of ‘Falcon Pride’ rocked the mountain.

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Gasps Greet a Dramatic Win
By Tony Levesque, The Mountain Enterprise Intern

The Falcon basketball teams started High Desert League play last week, fighting the Desert Scorpions of Edwards Air Force Base and the Bishop Broncos.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10 the varsity girls game was all defense as the Falcons pushed to get steals and rebounds against Edwards all over the court, ending the first quarter with no points for either team. During the second quarter the Falcons pushed forward to take some baskets, but the Scorpions were right behind at halftime with a score of 10-8. When the Falcons started missing shots, it looked like the end as the Scorpions pulled ahead by 10 with only 4 minutes left in the game. Finally, the Falcons caught up.

Despite the overwhelming number of Scorpion turnovers, the Falcons again gained momentum. The game ended a breathlessly close 30-29, a stinging win for the Scorpions.

The FMHS varsity boys could not make their shots as they squared off in the next game with the Scorpions. The Falcons continuously turned the ball over as the Desert defense pressured the FMHS team. The final score was 53-34, for another Scorpion win. The JV boys lost 67-39.

On Friday, Jan. 13 all the Falcon teams took a 5 hour bus ride to Bishop, ready to battle the Broncos in their own territory.

Pumped for the game, the varsity girls (with a 9-6 record so far) showed their expertise as they racked up points and played remarkable defense. But the Broncos were never too far behind. They went into halftime with no breathing room, at 30-29.

At the top of the third quarter it seemed as if nothing was going the Falcons’ way. Referees called penalties on FMHS, but seemed not to notice pushing and shoving by the Broncos.

This didn’t stop the Falcons. They continued to play a careful game, even as injuries to players started to occur.

The Broncos caught up to take the lead, 52-51.

Suddenly Falcon Angel McNeeley (who leads the team with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals) fainted on the court. Paramedics were called. McNeeley was transported to a local hospital.

With only half a second left on the clock, the teary-eyed Falcons passed the ball to Heather Henderson who handed it to Jessi Pilgram to score the final point of the game, a winning 53-52.

Chuck Mullen, head coach for the girls varsity, said afterward that the final hand-off play was planned.

“Before the game started,” Mullen said, “I told my team I brought the best team of girls in our league, but when we leave I want to be the closest family in Bishop. I feel we accomplished this goal.”

McNeeley was released from the hospital that night but will not be playing in next week’s games. Her fainting was suspected to have been due to dehydration. In more bad news, accomplished senior Alexa Puga may be out for the season due to a leg injury.

Varsity boys (6-7) went on to lose their game, 45-58. JV boys lost as well, 53-77.

Next week Falcon basketball teams play Kern Valley at home on Tuesday and will play Desert at home on Friday.

This is part of the January 20, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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