The Elsinore girls’ soccer team took down Canyon Springs in their CIF Division 7 match-up this past weekend. Freshman Kaitlyn Martinez, 19 minutes into the second half, netted a goal to put the Lady Tigers victory ahead of the Cougars. With Elsinore getting a rare opportunity inside the Cougars’ penalty area, Canyon Springs (11-5-2) blocked several shots from getting to goalkeeper Mireya Beltran. However, the Cougars could not clear the ball and one of those blocks wound up in front of Martinez on the left side of the box. She beat Beltran with a far-post shot.
“Right when I kicked it, I knew it was going in,” Martinez told the media. “I saw it going over the players and I started making my run. I just kicked it in.”
Isabel Vega headed in Elsinore’s insurance goal 38 minutes into the second half. The victory gave Elsinore (9-5-4) its first CIF Southern Section girls’ soccer title in school history. Martinez’s goal was the Tigers’ first goal in three games against the Cougars, who won the first game 2-0 at home and endured a scoreless tie at Elsinore.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
