Randee Romero is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Red Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

Red Mountain girls soccer kept its perfect conference record intact Thursday night, scoring four second-half goals in a 5-0 victory over Mountain Pointe.

After a first half of even competition, the Mountain Lions relied on their defense to hold off the Pride. Red Mountain's defense played with confident ball possession and consistent passing.

“Defensively, we were patient with what was coming at us. We had some poise in the back line,” Coach Vince Gallegos said.

Red Mountain’s only goal in the first half was scored by Tatum Molina, the Mountain Lions' second-leading scorer this season, on a deflected corner kick.

Red Mountain had a shift in momentum at the start of the second half that Gallegos credited to several position changes.

The halftime adjustments helped midfielder Neshma Rodriguez take control of the game. 

“I feel like when I’m giving it my all, my teammates see that from me and that's when we start picking it up,” said Rodriguez, who assisted the team's second goal with a pass through the Mountain Pointe defense to Jessie Bolt. That goal seemed to set the tone for the rest of the game. 

Mountain Pointe coach Chris Hughes said he expected a closer game.

“Once we get scored on we tend to lose our shape and organization and we play chaotic,” Hughes said.

Rodriguez said leadership made all the difference for the Mountain Lions.

“Someone needs to pick it up, and if it’s not them it has to be me," she said.  

Rodriguez was able to read the Mountain Pointe defense throughout the game and used that as an advantage. She said that from the beginning she noticed that Mountain Pointe’s defense was crowded together and she, along with her teammates, used their ball possession and quick passing to maneuver around them. 

Rodriguez  scored Red Mountain's third goal on a penalty kick, and the Lions' fourth goal came from senior Erin Brady on another assist by Rodriguez who sent a corner kick as an easy pass to the top of the goal box that Brady sent into the net. 

Red Mountain’s final goal was scored by striker Isabella Noya Soto on a high shot over the Mountain Pointe keeper’s hands with nine minutes left to play.

The Lions' five goals were scored by five different players.

“That just shows really how we are. We’re deep," Gallegos said.

Red Mountain is now 7-1 overall with a 7-0 mark in the 6A East Valley Conference. The Mountain Lios will host Basha (4-4) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Mountain Pointe (1-5-1) will host Chandler (2-5) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.