Union’s week carried the full spectrum of emotion, from a record-breaking milestone to a hard-fought conference setback.
The Spartans saw their momentum checked Thursday night in a 2-0 loss to East Bladen in a defensive battle, but just two days earlier, Union delivered a dominant 9-0 victory over East Columbus. That win marked a historic moment for senior standout Marlene Sanchez, who etched her name into the record books with her 82nd career goal, surpassing the previous school record held by her brother, Samuel Sanchez.
Even in defeat, Union head coach Daniel Rishworth had nothing but admiration for his team’s effort against East Bladen.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them because they worked hard beyond their physical limits,” Rishworth expressed. “There were a lot of injuries, and there were girls who weren’t feeling the best but still came out to play. It’s one of those games where no one really did anything wrong, and sometimes you just lose games.”
The match reflected exactly that, a tight, physical contest where opportunities were limited and execution on both sides leaned heavily on defensive discipline.
As the regular season winds down and the postseason approaches, Rishworth emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation.
“First things first, we’re going to rest,” he explained. “We’re resting today and this weekend, then easing them back into it. We’ll keep practices low intensity during the tournament, just enough to stay sharp and prepare for opponents without overworking the girls.”
Despite the loss, the week will ultimately be remembered for Sanchez’s historic accomplishment, one built on years of consistency, discipline, and support.
“I honestly feel very grateful for the achievement and the history that I’m making at Union High,” Sanchez reflected. “I’m very grateful for my support system, my parents and my siblings, and for all the sacrifices they’ve made for me to get here and achieve my goal of breaking the record.”
That gratitude was paired with pride in the work it took to reach the milestone.
“I feel very proud of myself for the hard work I’ve done and the consistency I’ve had over the past years to reach this achievement,” she added. “I feel great, honestly.”
Still, the senior held herself to a high standard following Thursday’s loss.
“It wasn’t what we expected, but we learned from it,” Sanchez noted. “We lose as a team. It wasn’t anybody’s fault, it’s teamwork. I wasn’t very proud of myself, but we’ll grow from it.”
Her defining message, however, was reserved for those who helped her along the way, a sentiment that captures both the milestone and the journey behind it.
“For my parents who never let go, and for every silent sacrifice, every goal was for you, and so was the record. Thank you.”
Rishworth emphasized that while Sanchez’s name now sits alone atop the record books, her success reflects a collective effort.
“She’s just that good at scoring,” he said. “Having a goal scorer like that makes things easier, but it’s a team effort. (Assistant coaches) Wendy Santivanez and Jocelyn Cardona have helped her a lot as well. We’ve worked with her one-on-one countless times, and she’s absorbed everything. You see it on the field when she scores. Everyone’s proud of her.”
With postseason play approaching and a rivalry matchup against Hobbton looming on senior night, Rishworth believes his team is mentally prepared for the moment.
“They’re not intimidated by anyone,” he said. “We have a better understanding of what we need to do, and I think we can make it happen.”
And as for Sanchez, her coach made one thing clear, the drive that carried her to 82 goals is far from finished.
“Marlene’s her own biggest critic,” Rishworth said. “But we couldn’t be happier with her. She has the drive, the mentality, the skill, she’s got this.”
Union may have stumbled Thursday night, but with history made and the postseason ahead, the Spartans are far from finished writing their story.