REDLANDS — The difference remains one point in the race for the Citrus Belt League girls soccer title.
Despite producing the only five shots on goal of the match, Citrus Valley was unable to break through against Beaumont in a scoreless draw Tuesday night.
“We had our opportunities but we just didn’t capitalize on them,” Citrus Valley coach Cassandra Delgado said. “There were moments where we were very close to the goal and just barely missed.”
The league-leading Blackhawks (5-10-3 overall, 5-1-2 in league) are unbeaten in January following a 0-9-2 start to the season.
“We’re still figuring it out and I’m always big on learning more from the losses than the wins, and we went through the ringer a couple of times, mentally, in the preseason,” Delgado said.
Pushing its chase for a sixth consecutive CBL title to the final two matches of the regular season, Citrus Valley plays at Cajon on Thursday and ends the regular season next week at Redlands East Valley.
“We’re still in a good spot but it does make it a little tougher to finish out the way we wanted to,” said Delgado, now in her second season. “It’s not like it’s over for anybody, and I love that.”
Senior goalkeeper Kameron Velasco made five saves as Beaumont (12-7-2, 5-2-1) bounced back from a 2-0 loss to Yucaipa last week to grab a critical point and stay just one point behind Citrus Valley.
“(Citrus Valley) is a tough, physical team and I thought my girls plays well,” Beaumont coach Sergio Olvera said. “We definitely matched their physicality and made sure they didn’t earn anything.”
Beaumont netted five-or-more goals four times in November in December and had a 14-0 win over Aquinas on Jan. 3, but has not scored more than three goals in a match since.
“Once you get into the CBL it’s tough,” Olvera said. “The games aren’t going to be determined by large margins.”
Citrus Valley sophomore winger Natalie Gonzalez nearly scored in the first 45 seconds on a blistered shot from the left edge of the penalty area, but Velasco was active early and made a diving save. The ensuing rebound also was aimed on goal but a defender put their body in the way for a block.
“We’re really still learning to capitalize on those opportunities and bring that energy, coming out hard,” Delgado said.
Velasco came off her line to clear danger twice in the first half and twice again in the second half to keep the clean sheet for Beaumont, which has allowed just 22 goals this season.
And despite a league-leading 60 goals through its first 21 matches, Beaumont was unable to score against Citrus Valley in their two meetings and has not scored in more than 160 minutes overall.
Beaumont plays at REV on Thursday before finishing its regular season at home against Redlands next week.
