The burden that O’Connor High School’s Ella Hammonds carried with her on Saturday afternoon lasted for about 15 minutes but probably felt as if it persisted for a lifetime.

Hammonds had agonized over squandering a prime moment that could’ve aided her team in an important game. She hoped for a shot at earning redemption.

Fittingly, and in a game defined by missed opportunities, Hammonds made the most of a second chance.

A junior forward, Hammonds converted on a 22-yard free kick with eight minutes left as O’Connor rallied to tie Taft 1-1 in a District 29-6A showdown at Farris Stadium. The result leaves both teams tied for first place in 29-6A with about three weeks left in the regular season. Taft has played one fewer district game than O’Connor.

“I was really down on myself when I missed that PK,” Hammonds said of missing on a penalty kick midway through the second half with her team trailing 1-0. “I was like, ‘Man, that was one of our only chances, and I could’ve put that away and I messed up.’ I felt really upset at myself and everything. Then, I picked up my head and I was like, ‘Hey, we just got to go for the next play.'”

Taft (11-0-4 overall, 7-0-3 in district) made getting to that next impactful play difficult. The Raiders, who are unbeaten in their last 29 league contests (25-0-4) since a 1-0 loss to Brennan on March 1, 2022, had O’Connor (11-3-3, 7-1-3) on its heels throughout.

The Raiders led 1-0 barely five minutes into the game when senior forward Jordan Matthews found a crease between two defenders, ran onto a pass from senior midfielder Layla Rangel in stride, and tallied her 30th goal on the season.

The goal was the first of numerous potential scoring opportunities created by Taft, but the only one it was able to capitalize on. The Raiders had eight shots on goal and seven corner kicks but were unable to get anything either on target or passed O’Connor sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Bourquin, who finished with seven saves.

“There were a lot of chances where we could’ve put one in and they could’ve put one in,” Hammonds said after the teams played to a draw for the second time this season (they played to a 2-2 decision on Jan. 25). “It just wasn’t there. Taft is a very hard team. It’s really good competition, really good players. I’m just glad we hung in there and tied it.”

O’Connor’s first chance to pull even came in the 58th minute when junior forward Aryana Martinez was tripped inside the penalty area by Taft goalkeeper Madissyn Harris, resulting in a penalty kick. Hammonds’ attempt on the PK, however, sailed over the crossbar.

“I was really nervous,” Hammonds said of facing Harris. “I thought, ‘Man, I really need to hit it hard.’ I just didn’t kick it on frame.”

O’Connor, which is unbeaten in its last 10 games (7-0-3) since a 1-0 setback vs. Jay on Jan. 17, earned another chance to knot up the contest when Taft was whistled for a handball just outside its penalty area with 8 1/2 minutes left to play. Hammonds put a line-drive shot just inside the left post that Harris, a junior who is committed to St. Mary’s University and registered four saves, appeared to guess correctly and got her fingertips on but was unable to keep out of the goal.

Taft had one final push for a game-winner, but Matthews’ attempt with two seconds left was just high.

terrence@terrencesports.com
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