Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Soul hosting Pleasanton RAGE at Merritt College. Soul comes in having drawn their last game against Cal Storm 1-1 and are currently in third place of the W League’s Nor Cal Division.
RAGE, meanwhile, are playing just their second game of the season. It should be a goal fest for Oakland as they are looking for a positive result.
RootsBlog Player of the Match – Jordan Geis
We name Jordan Geis our RootsBlog Player of the Match for running a clinic on Pleasanton’s defense. She had a goal, two assists and consistently was sending dangerous passes in front of the goal.
Coach Jessica Clinton called tonight, “The Jordan Geis Show.”
Initial Takeaways
- The Nor Cal Division is tough
Today marked the third straight game for Oakland Soul to trail after conceding an early goal in the first half. With the first two spots in the Nor Cal assured to receive a playoff spot, it means dropping points hurts much more.
Coach Clinton called Pleasanton this year’s “dark horse” for the division and they proved to provide a much larger challenge than last year when Soul beat them 5-0. Dropping points to Pleasanton may have put an end to Oakland’s playoff hopes, but Soul still controls its destiny with critical matches against Glens, Storm, and Cargo remaining.
- Liliana Rubio becomes youngest player in organization history to play
We’re not sure what Liliana Rubio’s exact age, but at 14-15 years old, she became the youngest player to ever appear in organization history for both Roots and Soul. And she was fun to watch with flashy footwork to lead attacks up field.
Rubio is listed as a defender on the Soul’s roster page, but she entered more in a forward/winger role in the second half.
Liliana spent time with the Mexico Women’s National Team last week and competed with LaMorinda Soccer Club despite living in Fresno. She actually joined Thursday’s Soul game on short notice, per Clinton, and has only spent a brief amount of time training with the team. That’s a testament to the quality of players on this team.
- SF Glens next
Here we go, Oakland Soul visits SF Glens on Sunday, June 2 on the road. This match needs a derby name. Glens are currently perfect at 3-0-0 and don’t look like they’ve taken a step back from last season despite losing a significant chunk of their 2023 roster.
After originally being scheduled to take place at the Glens’ new stadium on Treasure Island, the game will evidently take place at Skyline College in San Bruno, which is a huge bummer. This was likely going to be Oakland Soul supporter’s only chance to visit the new field on Treasure Island given USL Super League is on the horizon in 2025.
Instead, its back to the Peninsula. Meh.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Soul Starting 11
Murison starts up top again with Jordan Geis getting her first start. Brinkman suits up on the right with Schoennauer getting her first start in the CAM spot. A strong back four with Schinaman, Shepherd, Jones, and Frohan. Veland and Cunningham start in the midfield.
A girl I covered during her high school career, Audrey Lam, suits up. She’s spent time with the U17 USWNT team and several camp invites.
Timeline
RAGE free kick – 3′
Dangerous ball in
RAGE shot blocked – 3′
RAGE looping header – 4′
RAGE goal – 14′
A slow start for Soul comes back to bite them. Forward wheels in on left side, shot on target forces a diving save from Armas. Ball rebounds back to a Pleasanton forward for the tap in.
Schoennauer shot wide – 15′
Geis shot high – 15′
Geis dangerous square ball to Murison on doorstep, eventually leads Schoennauer taking a shot that went wide – 19′
Sherry on for Frohan – 28′
Brinkman shot wide – 35′
Another dangerous pass across the face from Geis
Soul corner – 39′
Geis shot wide – 42′
Soul corner – 43′
Soul corner- 44+2′
Veland skimmed header goes very wide
First half notes:
Soul trails, surprisingly, but it marks their third straight game to trail after conceding an early goal. They definitely ticked up the intensity after 88888899999i Pleasanton’s goal, but nothing overtly challenging. 6 shots for Soul, but nothing on target.
Audrey Lam is on
RAGE corner- 47
leads to a shot straight to Layla
Veland shot on target, diving save
SOUL GOAL – 53′
Jordan Geis goal from atop the penalty area. Subdued celebration
Biiiiiig save by Layla.. I think. Or a blocked shot – 55′
RAGE corner – 56′
skips through area but cleared
Sydney down twice – 57′
she’s comes off
Rubio, the U15 Mexico National Women’s Team product, checks in – 59′
Cunningham shot high – 61′
SOUL GOAL – 62′
Jordan Geis squares a ball down by the end line to Ceci Gee for the one-touch goal
Geis shot on target, kick save – 65′
Soul corner – 66′
Schinaman shot wide – 69′
RAGE goal – 70′
Player left wide open in the box, slots it home. Too easy for Pleasanton
Sherry shot on target forces dive – 73′
Soul corner – 73′
Play short, ball in blocked
Samillo scores, another sharp ball across face by Geis – 77′
But she sustains an injury. Grabbing her knee, she’s going off
RAGE shot wide – 84′
RAGE shot high – 88′
Soul corner – 90+5′
Soul corner – 90+6′