The magical season for St. Francis’ girls’ soccer team came to an end following a 5-1 loss to North Monterey County in the Central Coast Section play-in game Tuesday afternoon.
Andrea Ibarra, Anahi Flores, Isa Valadez, Herendira Navoa and Bella Hernandez each scored once for the Condors, who with the win earned an automatic playoff berth.
Hernandez was credited with a pair of assists, while Valadez and Flores each had one.
“We were coming out of the [regular] season doing pretty good, and we knew we had what it took,” said Valadez, who scored the game’s opening goal. “We kind of just came in expecting to win, wanting to win.”
The Sharks captured the Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division crown this season. Yet, they still had to play against the runner-up of the Mission Division—the second highest tier of the four divisions within the league—just to have a chance of qualifying into the CCS postseason.
“It was definitely scary, I know we were all nervous,” St. Francis junior Miriam Abonce said. “But I think we all just had the mindset of trying our best and whatever happened, happened. I’m really proud of the way we played. I think we definitely stuck it out till the end.”
The Condors scored three goals in a span of 15 minutes, and added one more just before halftime, giving them a 4-0 lead at the break.bSenior Olivia Chavez-Arce scored the lone goal for St. Francis.
“We were definitely a little upset because we expected a little bit different of an outcome,” Abonce said. “After Olivia made that goal, it gave us a little more confidence knowing that it’s possible to score on them despite having a really good defense.”
St. Francis was without several players for Tuesday’s contest including senior Jiana Muzzio and junior Alisa Lumicao. Abonce and her teammates also missed the presence of head coach Chris Croghan, who could not attend the match.
“It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions, ups and downs, but I feel like we lifted each other up and kept each other going,” Abonce said. “Making it this far already itself is an accomplishment. So very proud of everything.”
Girls basketball
At Pajaro Valley 45, Santa Catalina 11: Monique Ayala had a team-best 18 points in the Grizzlies’ crushing win over the Cougars in the teams’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division and regular season finale Tuesday afternoon.
Elizabeth Zamora added 15 points for Pajaro Valley (5-18, 3-11), while teammate Karley Alvarado contributed nine points.
High school wrestling
Locals prepare for CCS Masters Meet: A group of local wrestlers kept their season alive following a solid performance at the CCS South Regionals at Watsonville High on Feb. 15.
The top eight boys finishers and top 10 girls finishers in each division advanced to the Masters Meet at Independence High in San Jose on Saturday.
Aptos sophomore Cruz Contreras was runner-up in the 126-pound division, losing to Gilroy senior and Cornell University commit Isaiah Cortez in the championship match.
Aptos sophomore Dominic Cabot pinned Lincoln freshman Adrian Rivera in the 106-pound weight division third place match. Cabot’s brother, Alfred, placed ninth in the 113-pound division.
Aptos sophomore Cole Moules (150 pounds) placed fourth, St. Francis senior Johnny Croghan (157) took sixth and Watsonville sophomore Angel Barragan Marquez won the 165-pound division fifth place match by pinning Monterey sophomore Joseph Ashby.
Pajaro Valley junior Eriberto Estrada snuck his way into the CCS Masters Meet after he placed seventh in the 215-pound division.
On the girls side, Watsonville senior Martha Zurita and Monte Vista Christian sophomore Megan Merson placed fourth and sixth in the 130-pound girls division. Aptos senior Amelie Mintun (190 pounds) took eighth and advanced to this weekend’s CCS Masters Meet.
The top four placers for both boys and girls in each weight class will advance to the California Interscholastic Federation Wrestling Championships at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield from Feb. 27-March 1.
