Berkeley senior goalkeeper Leah Freeman did not want Saturday’s quarterfinal round against Liberty to be her last high school soccer game, especially after her junior year ended with an overtime defeat against the Lions.
But after a miraculous goal late in the game by Berkeley's Shima Dixon, this match was also sent into overtime. This time, however, Freeman knew there was no way history could repeat itself. Instead, history was about to be written.
As the 1-1 tie carried on into penalty kicks, Freeman recorded three saves — including a game-winner which sent Berkeley into the NCS semifinals for the first time in school history.
“We finally did it,” Freeman said. “I told them if the game went to PKs, I would win it for them.”
In the midst of celebration, Freeman looked across the pitch and saw an all too familiar scene. Last year, Berkeley’s season was cut short by Liberty. Just like Saturday night, it was a quarterfinal loss that Freeman could not get over.
“They eliminated us last year,” said Freeman. “I literally cried for three days. It was one of the hardest losses I’ve had. We couldn't let them do that to us again.”
Liberty scored early in the game. Alexis Gutierrez connected with Jesse Sotelo. Not long after, the Lions had a set piece play designed to find Gutierrez, but the ball hit the post and bounced back into the hands of Freeman.
Liberty’s season comes to an end, but not before the Lions claimed their seventh BVAL title and return a lot of talent in the upcoming campaign.
“They probably won’t understand it but it’s good for it to hurt,” said Liberty head coach Tony Martins. “It’s to reflect and set goals for the following season.”
Berkeley continues its season. The Yellowjackets will travel to Carondelet Athletic Center in Walnut Creek to face the top-seeded Cougars, a team they beat earlier this season, 2-0.
Division I roundup
Carondelet took care of Heritage on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars got off to an early start thanks to a goal by Jordyn Young, but the turning point of the game was Ellie Ospeck’s chip shot to make 2-0 right before halftime.
Heritage’s Makeila Yancey got on the board in the second half, with her left-foot shot on a breakaway, but it wasn't enough as Carondelet went on to win 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.
Seniors Tatiana Berestka and Megan Edelman each scored for two-seed Monte Vista, as the Mustangs beat Foothill, 2-1. Sophomore Charlyse Berry assisted on both goals. Monte Vista advances to face Amador Valley, which defeated EBAL rival San Ramon Valley 2-0 in the other quarterfinal.
Division II roundup
Top seed Montgomery has outscored its first two playoff opponents by seven goals after defeating Northgate, 4-0, in the quarterfinals. The Vikings will now face NBL-Oak rival Maria Carrillo, which defeated Campolindo, 1-0.
Two seed Tamalpais continued its dominant start to the post-season, as the Red-Tailed Hawks routed Casa Grande, 5-0. Tam was expected to face three-seed and MCAL rival Redwood in the semifinals, but the Giants were knocked off by Bishop O'Dowd in the quarterfinals, as the Dragons used a pair of second-half goals to win 2-0.
Division III roundup
The five and six seeds both pulled mild upsets, as Miramonte beat league rival Alhambra 1-0 in overtime on Jordan Goularte's game-winner, and Petaluma ousted El Cerrito, 5-3. Senior Melissa Rocha and freshman Kathryn Hale each had a brace for the six-seed Trojans, who will face two-seed Acalanes in the semifinals.
Miramonte will face top-seed Branson, which cruised past San Rafael, 4-0. Four different Bulls scored in the win, with sophomore Anna Lardner notching a goal and an assist.
Division IV roundup
The top three seeds - Cardinal Newman, Marin Academy and Marin Catholic - all cruised into the semifinals, where they be joined by 12-seed Piedmont, who edged Lick-Wilmerding, 1-0.
