FC Tucson Triumphs with 10 Men, Shatters SC Del Sol with 4 Goals

FC Tucson’s women’s soccer team faced a challenging match against SC Del Sol at Kino North Stadium on Friday night, ultimately losing 4-0. The visitors struck early, leaving FC Tucson scrambling for answers throughout the contest.

Wingback Morgan Bilczewski set the tone for the match, taking a shot that struck the post. FC Tucson goalkeeper Grace Hughes quickly intervened, preventing further damage. However, it wasn’t long before Del Sol took the lead. Valerie Llamas, a college soccer player from Northern Arizona, found space at the edge of the box. With skillful footwork, she maneuvered around an FC Tucson defender and delivered a well-placed shot past Hughes, putting Del Sol up just minutes into the game.

Throughout the first half, FC Tucson struggled to build momentum. Their first attempt on goal didn’t come until the 33rd minute, when Zoey Gist fired a long-range shot. By that point, the team trailed 2-0, demonstrating a need for immediate adjustments.

After the half, FC Tucson reorganized tactically and temporarily stifled Del Sol’s offensive efforts. Hughes made crucial saves, but FC Tucson still found it difficult to generate significant scoring opportunities. Frustration mounted as Shania Walters received a second yellow card in a contentious exchange with Del Sol’s Carlie Diaz, leaving Tucson with ten players on the field.

As the match progressed, Del Sol’s momentum proved unstoppable. Llamas netted her second goal, sealing FC Tucson’s fate. The local team’s inability to keep pace with Del Sol’s speed and midfield dominance was evident.

Following this defeat, FC Tucson slipped to fourth place in the Desert Division standings. Their upcoming match will see them travel to face PHX Heat.

Despite the loss, Shaylee Fuell, a player from the Vail area, emerged as a positive note. She managed several strong runs up the wing after tactical tweaks opened space in the second half. Fuell acknowledged the team’s challenge in maintaining energy during the match.

“Keeping energy going was one of the things we struggled with,” she said, adding they have valuable experiences to build upon. The loss stings more given the enduring rivalry with Del Sol, which dates back to FC Tucson’s initial season in 2013.

“I knew this would be a battle,” Fuell remarked, reflecting on the team’s previous encounters with Del Sol’s youth squads.