BREAKING: Dos Pueblos girls soccer has been eliminated from the CIF-SS Div. 3 playoffs following a 1-0 loss to La Mirada High School on July 15, 2023, at Scott O’Leary Stadium in Goleta. This heartbreaking defeat marks the end of a promising season for the Chargers, who finished with an overall record of 13-5-5 under first-year head coach George Hedricks.
The match was a fierce contest, with both teams battling to gain momentum. For most of the first half, Dos Pueblos held the advantage, dominating possession and generating three corner kicks. However, they struggled to convert their opportunities into shots on goal. “We had a lot of opportunities and some pretty good shots on goal and just couldn’t get it on frame,” Hedricks stated post-game.
Despite the pressure from Dos Pueblos, La Mirada’s defense stood firm, while their goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep the match scoreless through halftime. The Chargers’ own defense, anchored by goalkeeper Darlene Aguilar, was equally impressive, with Aguilar securing four saves in the first half alone.
The turning point came in the 53rd minute, when a handball by Dos Pueblos inside their penalty area led to a penalty kick for La Mirada. Zoey Santiago stepped up and delivered a well-placed shot into the bottom right corner, giving La Mirada a 1-0 lead. “It was just a little mental mistake that let them get some pressure,” Hedricks reflected. “Unfortunately, it came down to that.”
In a desperate bid for an equalizer, Dos Pueblos intensified their offensive efforts, with players Paige Ferro and Hazel Burgess both attempting shots on goal, but La Mirada’s goalkeeper was ready to thwart their attempts. The Chargers’ defense remained resilient, but their offense could not capitalize on the opportunities presented to them as the clock wound down.
Hedricks praised Aguilar’s performance throughout the season, emphasizing her growth and confidence. “I can’t say enough good things about Darlene… She made some big saves for us all year,” he noted.
This loss signifies the conclusion of a season that saw Dos Pueblos improve significantly from the previous year’s seven-win campaign. The team, led by a strong senior class of ten, leaves with optimism for the future as they look to build on their experiences.
La Mirada now advances to face Valencia in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday, July 17, 2023. Fans and supporters of both teams will be eagerly watching as the playoff action continues.
Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of the CIF-SS playoffs as teams battle for glory!
