Following a remarkable win over Barstow, 4-0, and Paramount, 2-1 in overtime, the San Jacinto ladies moved into the quarterfinals, against Chadwick High School’s team in the Division 5 quarterfinal round Wednesday, Feb 14. In a tightly matched game, the Tigers won 1-0, and are moving on to the semifinals to be played at home Saturday, Feb. 17, versus Estancia High School.
The winning goal against Chadwick was scored midway through the first half by sophomore team captain Jaelyn Frazier (matching her total goals scored from last season at 20). The assist came off a one-time headed pass from senior Tyariz Hernandez.
“Jaelyn juked out the goalkeeper and let go a powerful shot from a tight angle and put it in the back of the net,” exclaimed head coach Walter O. Guzman. “The ball went through a couple of defenders on the goal line, it was amazing!”
The play was made possible first by freshman central defender Sofia Padilla who controlled the ball after a Chadwick clearance. Padilla passed the ball to central midfielder and another freshman Elisse Garcia, who sent a pass to sophomore Tatiana Sierra. From there, Sierra took one touch to control the ball and a second touch to pass a high ball to Tyariz.
“Chadwick threw everything but the kitchen sink, hoping to tie the score and sent it to overtime, said Guzman. “Our defense held strong led by our two central defenders sophomore Solea Muller and Padilla. Freshman Meah Murrieta also held her own against the stronger and taller players she was assigned to defend against.
Guzman added that credit must also go to their top notch All-World, All-Stat senior goalkeeper Abi Bernal who made some impressive one on one saves late in the second half to preserve the eleventh shutout of the season.
“This was definitely a team effort,” added Guzman. “Others who excelled were freshman midfielders Destynie Moreno and Kassandra Tellez along with sophomore Madelyn Rodriguez and senior Zuleyka Gonzales playing forward.”
In the Division 5 semifinals, San Jacinto fell to Estancia, 1-0, ending their postseason run. Liberty, competing in Division 6, won their first-round playoff match over Desert Hot Springs, 3-0, and won their second-round match over Rancho Verde, 2-0. They took on Colton in the quarterfinal round Wednesday, Feb 14, but fell 2-0.
Tahquitz, also competing in Division 5, won their first-round playoff game, 3-0, over El Monte, but fell to Garden Grove in the second round, 3-2, ending their season.
For updates on possible action in the CIF State 2024 Championship Brackets, those will be made available on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 25, at www.cifstate.org/sports/soccer.
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