On Feb. 23, Bonita Vista High School’s (BVH) Lady Barons soccer team warms up in the evening, with their audience awaiting the start of the CIF San Diego Division-I (D1) Girls Soccer championship against one of BVH’s long time rivals—the Mater Dei Catholic (MDC) Crusaders.
MDC was a higher ranked team in the playoffs, being ranked third, while BVH ranked fifth in this year’s playoffs. Despite the rivalry and their opponent’s higher ranking, the Lady Barons were confident as they defeated the first-ranked high school, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, the previous week in order to reach the championship round.
“[Mater Dei] is in our division. We knew that luck was on our side especially when meeting them for the third time. We knew we were going to have a good shot tonight,” varsity girls’ soccer Head Coach Kiko Medina said.
Both times the Lady Barons met with the Crusaders, they lost. Keeping this in mind, the Barons are energized, knowing that this time they have a chance to beat MDC and win that fabled CIF D1 Championship.
“Playing against rivals always brings something out of a player. It motivates me to work harder and to want to win even more. I think since it was CIF it made us want to win even more because it shows you’re the best in your area. It was finally our chance to prove ourselves as a great team.” Center back, Co-Captain and senior Natalie Guevara (3) said.
As the game kicks off, the crowds cheer as both teams make their way down the field, with a few on-target shots from both teams. Early in the game, BVH goalkeeper and sophomore Natalie Mesa (1) saves a goal and turns over the ball to BVH. MDC immediately retrieves the ball, but they kick it out of bounds. The ball passes back and forth until MDC draws a foul on BVH near their goal. Mesa quickly blocks the Crusaders’ penalty shot, keeping the score 0-0.
As BVH drives down the field again, Midfielder and junior, Alena Ramirez (2) collides with MDC goalkeeper and sophomore Cami Givens and another Crusader, injuring the two MDC players. Givens is carted away and MDC goalkeeper and freshman Daniela Alfaro (0) is made the new goalie. With 6:10 left on the clock, MDC scores their first point of the game, ending the first half with BVH down a score.
“The first half was definitely rough as a team and individually for me as well. I played very nervously and made several mistakes. At halftime I told myself that this could be my last game and I want to go out proud of how I played. Coach constantly said that we had already exceeded everyone’s expectations, so there should be no pressure and anxiety on the field,” Guevara said.
Early in the second half, Ramirez scores the Baron’s first goal of the game, tying the score at 1-1. After another drive from BVH that resulted in a blocked kick towards the goal, MDC had the ball back and attempted to score, which was blocked by Mesa. MDC has a foul called on them for a player being offsides. After a trade of fouls for tripping from both teams, time expired and the game went into overtime.
“Everyone’s emotions definitely tense up, because everyone knows we have fifteen minutes to get the job done. I think all emotions get intensified.” Attacking midfielder and sophomore,” Sofia Nunez (10) said.
The sun was fully set when overtime began. MDC and BVH clash head to head on the field, trading fouls and long drives down the field. MDC almost scores a goal as Mesa barely makes the save. Eventually, BVH drives down the field again as a corner is kicked, but to no avail. The fifteen minutes of overtime runs out, with the score still at 1-1, so there is no choice but to go to penalty kicks.
“I was the first one on my team to take a penalty kick. I’m the main penalty kicker on the team and I’ve scored a few throughout the season. I was a little nervous to start it off for the team but I knew I had to remain confident and keep the positive energy up for my teammates,” Guevara said. “I surprisingly wasn’t too nervous when we would take our penalties because we have practiced them so much leading up to this moment.”
At this point of the game, the stadium is roaring with chants and cheers as the girls who are kicking the penalty kicks lined up. Each team earns a point on their first two penalties. MDC kicks the ball towards the goal, but it hits the crossbar and does not go in. It is still 3-2. Midfielder and freshman, Ava Galvan (23) makes BVH’s third, bringing the penalty score to 3-3. With the championship on the line, MDC kicked the ball, and it soared over the goal.
“When we went into penalties I knew we would do great. However, I did feel nervous for our goalkeeper because that’s a difficult position to be put in, especially as a sophomore.” Guevara said.
Midfielder and freshman Kayla Yaomoto approaches the line and kicks the ball, which dives into the corner. The crowd roared as the girls ran on the field and hugged each other, BVH had won the D1 CIF championship title.
“I just ran over to my teammate and we all hugged and everyone was really happy. I just felt like everything had paused in that moment for a second, and we were all soaking in the situation.” Nunez said.
The girls all run around Medina, grabbing their water bottles to pour onto their coach in a show of celebration. The girls hold up the banner, cementing their place as CIF D1 champions. Medina elaborates on what this championship means to him and the team.
“For the school to win a championship is huge. We have been close, for a few years now. And it’s just crazy that this was technically supposed to be a rebuilding year. For my senior captain [Natalie Guevara], who has been with us since she was a freshman, she has come up short three years in a row in the open division. For her to win a championship in her final year here, I am just so proud of that,” Medina said.
