Early on in Carondelet’s semifinal game against host Foothill, it appeared that recent history might repeat itself, as the Falcons took an early lead against the Cougars. But unlike Carondelet’s regular season loss to Foothill, the Cougars’ offense came to life, scoring a trio of unanswered goals to earn a 3-1 victory and advance to the North Coast Section Division I title game for the third straight year.
After falling behind early, Carondelet tied the game on a penalty kick, drawn when sophomore Ellie Ospeck went down in the box. Ella Collier took the penalty, and drilled the shot to tie the match at one goal each. The Cougars then took the lead before the half, when Brianna Murray delivered a pass to Ospeck, who took the opportunity to place a left-foot shot into the corner of the net, a shot that Carondelet coach Amy Apodaca described as “picture perfect.”
The Cougars put the match away in the second half, when Collier scored for the second time, assisted once again by Murray. The outburst of goals was especially impressive considering that Carondelet has been playing without USC commit Cassidy Tshimbalanga, who is out for the remainder of the year after suffering a knee injury. She had led the section in goals scored prior to the injury.
“This is our third year in a row reaching the section title game with our leading goal scorer out for the playoffs,” Apodaca said. “It makes me really proud, as we have different kids all over scoring goals and taking on leadership roles.”
The diverse scoring has proven key during the playoff run, as Collier – a junior – scored twice in a quarterfinal win over Amador Valley, as did Ospeck. Freshman Jordyn Young also scored in the 5-0 quarterfinal victory. Murray and senior Stephanie Neys added goals in the first-round win over Berkeley. Now, the Cougars look to erase the sting of the past two section title games, which each resulted in one-goal losses – to San Ramon Valley and Liberty. There is one big difference, however – Saturday’s match against league rival Monte Vista will not be the last game of the season, as the Cougars have clinched a berth in the inaugural CIF NorCal tournament. And Carondelet certainly ready for both challenges.
“We have really been working to peak down the stretch. Maybe we lost some games we shouldn’t have earlier in the season, but that’s part of it,” Apodaca said. “We learned a lot from those losses. This coming Saturday has been our focus all along.”
Top-ranked Mustangs stay unbeaten
Division I top seed Monte Vista stayed on track with a 2-0 win over California in the semifinals, and will meet Carondelet for the championship.
Junior Erika Braun scored both goals for the Mustangs, who have outscored opponents 85-5 this season. Rachel Anderson assisted on one of Braun’s goals.
Monte Vista and Carondelet will meet this Saturday, 1 pm, at Dublin High School.
Livermore, Maria Carrillo set for rematch
In a game that many should felt should have been the championship game seeding, five-seed and defending champion Livermore ousted top seed Montgomery, 1-0, with a goal from Air Force commit Lexi Romero in the final minute of play.
Freshman Emily Johnson assisted Romero on the game-winner, which gets the Cowboys back in the title game, where they will face Maria Carrillo. Livermore defeated the Pumas, 2-0, during non-league play.
Maria Carrillo routed Redwood, 4-0. Senior standout Kitana Gonzalez scored a brace, and how has 26 goals for the year. Sophia Trask and Julia Pell each added goals for the Pumas. The Division II championship game will take place this Saturday, 5 pm, at Rancho Cotate.
Campolindo, Analy each notch one-goal victories
Division III top seed Analy advanced to the championship game with a 1-0 victory over 12 seed Ygnacio Valley, courtesy of a first-half goal from sophomore Lillian Ziemer.
Junior Isabel Housman assisted on the game-winning goal, her eighth assist of the year. Analy has not allowed a goal during the playoffs.
Campolindo beat Kennedy-Fremont, 2-1, with all the scoring for both teams happening in the first half. Campo’s Mia Nieto started the scoring in the 26th minute, scoring off an assist from Azalea Kim.
Kennedy got the equalizer in the 37th minute, on a goal by sophomore Marissa Freitas, but the Cougars struck back with the game-winner just one minute later, on a goal by sophomore Christine Massoni.
Campolindo is seeking its sixth section title, with the last one coming in 2014. Analy is looking for its first ever title in girls soccer.
Branson looks for third straight title
While its stellar defense, which has allowed just two opponents to find the net this season, continued its scoreless streak in the playoffs, Branson bolted to an early lead in its semifinal game against Cardinal Newman, and made it stand up in a 1-0 victory over Cardinal Newman.
The Bulls took their lead just over a minute into the match, when sophomore Abby Dillon scored from the right wing. Branson had another goal later disallowed for an offsides call, and had a couple other opportunities, but the defense made the one-goal lead seem rock solid for the duration of the match.
“Newman had more of the possession, a lot of it in their own third, but never presented any dangerous opportunities near our goal,” said Branson coach Tyler Gottschalk. “It was always in doubt, with just a one-goal lead, but when we did have the ball, we created opportunities and stayed in control.”
Gottschalk credited Cardinal Newman keeper Paige Newman with a terrific game, as the sophomore finished her year with a 10-save performance, including two in a single opportunity.
Branson now faces Piedmont in the Division IV final, after the Highlanders ousted Sonoma Academy, 3-0, in the other semifinal. Like the Bulls, Piedmont has not allowed a goal in the post-season. Meanwhile, sophomore Ceci Brien continued her phenomenal year, scoring twice more, giving her 24 goals for the season. Sophomore Sabrina Grammer added the other goal.
