Bulldogs eyeing strong finish

Sports can be cruel, especially soccer with its low scores, which keep matches tense and tight. One unfair bounce of the ball or defensive mishap can undo so much good and so many minutes of strong play in an instant.

The Alhambra High School girls soccer team has experienced this suddenness—when an apparent victory is snatched away and becomes a crushing loss or frustrating and empty tie.

Leading 2-0 at Dougherty Valley on Jan. 16, the Bulldogs allowed two goals—on a corner and a free kick—and walked off the field with a tie. The scenario is a microcosm of Alhambra's season to date and the reason behind its current plight.

"We've had a lot of success early on," said first-year head coach John Badger. "But, we haven't had as much success in league away from home."

Without favorable road outcomes, combined with a few games that could have gone either way, but went the wrong way have put the team in an unfavorable position.