In their fourth conference game of the season, the Vikings defeated visiting Sacramento City College in a 2-0 shutout Oct. 9, handing the Panthers their first loss.
Before the game, Vikings’ coach Cailin Mullins described Sacramento as a “typically strong team,” saying the game would be a good one, given the Panthers’ results in previous games. “We have to play well and take advantage of the opportunities we get,” Mullins said.
DVC maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, but could not score. Despite the half ending in a scoreless tie, both teams had scoring opportunities, including a wide-open shot by Sacramento that was blocked by Vikings goalkeeper, Courtney Hart in the 23rd minute of play.
“We played well in the second half, but we didn’t start the game off well,” Mullins would say after the game. “We had a good discussion at half time, and we were able to make adjustments.”
The adjustments included going into the second half with an offense that was more “dangerous and less stagnant,” as Mullins described.
Within the first eight minutes of the second half, the Viking’s offense scored its first of two goals.
Back after nearly two weeks on the injury list, Molly Holm, scored the first one after the ball was deflected off of the hands of the Panthers’ goalie, following a previous shot attempt by the Vikings. Sacramento threatened to score midway through the second half with an open shot that just missed, hitting off of the side post. But that would be the closest the Panthers got, as they failed to find their offense in the Vikings’ shutout.
Within the last 15 minutes of the game, DVC’s leading goal scorer, Kristen Elms, provided her team with some insurance, scoring her 10th goal of the season after the ball was again deflected off of the hands of the Panther’s goalkeeper.
Less than two minutes later, Bikem Kilincaslan took a shot that went into the goal, but was called offside, keeping the score at 2-0.
“We did a good job opening up and passing,” said first-year player, Jennifer Burton, after the game. “We didn’t give up.”
The Vikings are now 3-1 in their conference series, and though they are only midway through the season, they are looking forward to the playoffs.
“We should do well,” Priscilla Opfermann said. “If we keep playing the way we are, we should go far.”
Mullins said making the playoffs will depend on how well the conference teams play and whether her team stays healthy.
“We have some tough games coming up against American River and Modesto, but our playoff potential looks good,” she said.
The Vikings played Tuesday against American River College in Sacramento, too late for the Inquirer’s press deadline. Going into the game, American River was 0-2-1 in conference play.