YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Yuba City girls varsity soccer team experienced its first loss of the season on Friday, December 16 as the Honkers were defeated 6-1 by the Bella Vista Broncos at home.

The loss to Bella Vista put Yuba City’s record to 1-1-1 in Capital Valley Conference play after they tied Roseville 2-2 on December 13 and beat River Valley 6-2 a week prior on December 6.

In his third year atop the Lady Honkers soccer program, you instantly feel the charisma and passion of head coach Jerry Schicht’s love for the game.

“The girls always show a lot of heart on the field,” Schicht mentioned to the Messenger Publishing Group.

Yuba City (10-1-1) is off to a great start to the season that has included a tournament championship in the Feather River Tournament. The Honkers also advanced to the championship game of the Golden Sierra Tournament that had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

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Schicht told MPG that all the early success his club has had comes from their hard work in the off-season and the consistency of his team playing with one another for more than a season.

Bella Vista (2-5-2, 2-1-1 CVC) struck the scoreboard first when they scored in the second minute of the game. The Lady Broncos controlled the time of possession flawlessly throughout the game overall. 

Lady Honkers senior captain and forward Lorelai Miller expressed to MPG that Bella Vista’s passing was in sync, and they were able to find open space on the field consistently. Miller is the leading goal scorer of the season so far with 30.

Junior midfielder Athena Vargas put Yuba City on the scoreboard in the 30th minute of the game off a free kick that grazed the inner part of the goal post to count and give the Lady Honkers their only goal of the evening. Vargas is also tied for most assists on the season with five.

Bella Vista didn’t wait long to take the lead back as the Lady Broncos took a 2-1 advantage in the 38th minute of the game and took the lead into halftime. The Lady Broncos controlled the pace for most of the second half and built a comfortable lead when they added three more goals in the first 14 minutes of the second half to go up 5-1.

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Yuba City junior midfielder Brianna Henley expressed to MPG that they were able to break through the Bella Vista defensive line sometimes throughout the match. 

The Lady Honkers didn’t give up, but Schicht exclaimed to MPG that his team has responded to other adverse moments throughout the season so far, so he can’t wait to see how they respond following their first loss. The most consistent phrase that was mentioned to MPG from the Yuba City players about Schicht was his inspiration.

“He’s the shining star who is always encouraging us,” Vargas said about her coach.

Miller added that Schicht always brings his heart onto the field as he is always the first person on the field and last one to leave. The Lady Honkers continue CVC play with Inderkum (8-2-3, 1-1-1 CVC) and Woodcreek (8-2-3, 1-1-1 CVC) this week. Both teams have finished at the top of the league since the 2019 season.

Yuba City plays at Inderkum on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Honkers return home two days later for a home match against Woodcreek, also beginning at 7:30 p.m.