The team is pictured after their win over Esparto on Feb. 13. Back from left are Kelsea Coder, Mia Winsor, Aurora Martella, Milly Steed, Zoe Johnson, Rio Pelote, Whitney Marcis, Alicia Garcia, Bailee Wenger and Juno Pike. Front from left are Nailea Gonzalez, Izzy Remington, Cora Grasso, Phoebe Davis and Lorynn Visscher. Submitted photo
After finishing out the regular season with a 2-0 loss to Denair, the Mariposa County High School girls soccer team started the playoffs with a bang.
The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a record of 4-7-1 (5th place) in the Southern League, earning them a spot in the CIF San-Joaquin section playoffs.
MCHS snapped their six game losing streak and kept their season alive with a 2-1 win over the Esparto Spartans on Feb. 13.
The Spartans had entered the playoffs with a 9-5-2 (4th place) season record before their first round exit courtesy of the Grizzlies.
Freshmen Whitney Marcis and Alicia Garcia scored a goal each for MCHS, bringing their combined season total to 24.
The Grizzlies advanced to the second round where they faced the Knights from Stone Ridge Christian High School.
The Knights have been a force this season as they finished with a record of 10-1-1 (1st place) in the Southern League.
MCHS lost both times they faced Stone Ridge during the regular season, once on Jan. 2 (6-1) and again on Feb. 2 (6-0).
Stone Ridge entered round two after a monstrous 10-0 win over Aspire Langston Hughes Academy.
With the rain coming down and the field covered in puddles, MCHS fell to Stone Ridge 2-1 to end their playoff run.
“The rain was coming down and it continued to get worse as the game began,” said assistant coach Jamie Casner.
“Within about five minutes of the game starting the ball really started to stop in its tracks due to the water puddling on the field. This really made the passing game difficult.”
The Grizzlies’ defense held strong and shut down the Knights for most of the first half.
MCHS was down 1-0 at halftime.
With about 20 minutes left in the game The Grizzlies got a free kick.
Garcia planted a nice shot on the frame and as the goalie couldn’t keep her hands on it, Kelsea Coder put the ball in the net to tie it 1-1.
Within a few minutes Stone Ridge scored to take the lead and the win at 2-1.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to tie it but they fought hard to the end in some really tough conditions,” Casner explained.
“This group of girls can compete and I couldn’t be prouder of them and their hard work this season.”
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