TEMECULA – The 2024 season for the Temecula Valley Golden Bears girls’ soccer team is off to a promising yet challenging start. After claiming a commanding victory in their opener against the Fallbrook Warriors, the Golden Bears encountered a setback in their second game of the season, falling to a tough Santiago squad.
Fresh off their success as the 2023 CIF Southern Section Division I Academic Champions and boasting an impressive history of championships, including CIF Division I and II titles in recent years, the Golden Bears entered their home opener brimming with high expectations. Tuesday’s match against Fallbrook saw Temecula Valley dominate the field, securing a 3-1 win with an assertive performance. Looking confident and composed on their home turf, it was clear that Temecula Valley was eager to continue their tradition of excellence.
For Fallbrook, who now sits at 0-1-1, the loss marked their second meeting with Temecula Valley in the soccer season—a story that ended similarly to their last encounter. The Warriors struggled to contain Temecula Valley’s offense, which struck early and didn’t look back. The victory gave the Golden Bears their first win of the season, putting them at 1-0 and building momentum as they prepared for a tougher test.
That test came later in the week when Temecula Valley traveled to face Santiago High School on Thursday night. Santiago, whose commanding defense has allowed an average of just 0.2 goals per game so far this season, presented a daunting challenge for the Golden Bears’ offensive lineup. The two teams have a history of fierce matchups, with their last meeting ending in favor of Santiago 4-1. Despite that, Temecula Valley’s storied victory over Santiago in February 2022—a 2-0 triumph that crowned them Division I champions after avenging their sole loss of the season—remains a shining memory.
Unfortunately for Temecula Valley, Thursday’s outing did not echo that memorable win. While the Golden Bears kept pace with Santiago through the first half, their opponents broke away after the break, ultimately securing a 4-1 victory. The loss dropped Temecula Valley’s record to 1-1, leaving them eager to regroup and improve as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Golden Bears are set to face the Roosevelt Mustangs in their next match. Last time these two faced off, neither team managed to score, leaving plenty to be settled during their upcoming bout. With both squads motivated to prove their mettle and chase a win, it promises to be an exciting game sure to hold fans’ attention.
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