The Santa Barbara High girls soccer team came into its CIF-SS Div. 3 first-round match against Flintridge Prep playing its best soccer of the season, especially after a 3-0 win on Tuesday.
The Dons gave the top seed of Div. 3 all it could handle, but, ultimately, they lost 3-2 against Flintridge Prep in overtime on the road.
“Overall, We dictated the pace of play, won our 50-50 battles and were able to keep the Rebels on their heels for the majority of the game. The head coach from Flintridge gave us huge props in saying that we prevented them from playing their best soccer (which I have to respectfully agree). I’m so proud to be these girls coach, it’s truly been such an honor,” Dons coach Bridget Thomson said.
Santa Barbara fell behind early 1-0 but managed to tie the game when Kasia Wolf scored in the 34th minute.
In the second half, the Dons again fell behind by one and looked like all hope was lost. Senior captain Sophia Capelletti stepped up for her team, however, delivering a goal in the 79th minute to force overtime.
About five minutes into the extra period, Santa Barbara saw its season come to a close as Flintridge Prep got a goal that just went past senior keeper Lia Rodriguez.
“All you can do in those moments sometimes is just applaud a great effort against your opponent,” Thomson said of the goal.
LOMPOC 3, LA QUINTA 1
The Braves were able to win their CIF-SS Div. 4 first-round match against La Quinta on Tuesday, defeating the visitors by two goals at home.
At halftime, Lompoc had its back against the wall down 1-0. Goals from Alondra Ibanez, Amy Bommersbach and Brianna Corona were more than enough to push the Braves to the second round, however.
Ibanez’s goal came off a rebound from a free-kick while Bommersbach, a skilled free-kick taker, scored from inside the 18 after the Braves were awarded an indirect kick.
Corona, who was just recently called up from junior varsity, scored the insurance goal in the 61st minute when she made a shot from deep.
With the win, Lompoc (12-1-6) will move into the second round of the postseason. The Braves will host Bloomington Saturday at 3 p.m.
DUNN 1, LAGUNA BLANCA 0
The Earwigs were able to get a win in the CIF-SS Div. 7 first round of the postseason, defeating the Owls (4-9) by one goal.
With the win, Dunn (8-3) will move into the second round of the tournament where it will host Loara on Saturday with a time to be determined.
Email: Jmercado@newspress.com