California Section Final Roundup
All section finals took place in California this weekend, providing plenty of great storylines and drama. Here is a recap of all the champions from each section. CENTRAL SECTION The Clovis North boys claimed consecutive Division I titles, topping Ridgeview…
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Continue ReadingAll section finals took place in California this weekend, providing plenty of great storylines and drama. Here is a recap of all the champions from each section.
CENTRAL SECTION
The Clovis North boys claimed consecutive Division I titles, topping Ridgeview of Bakersfield 3-2 in an overtime thriller. Dylan Mostes scored the title-winning goal when Davis Bosch’s shot was deflected, fluttered to just right of the area and Mostes hit it one time and buried it in the upper V.
Nixon Hansen scored two first-half goals for the Broncos, who were holding on to a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes left. The Wolf Pack equalized on a great goal from Isaiah Valdez who cut inside, got the ball on his right foot and buried a shot from just outside the area.
Valdez’s dramatic goal ended up setting up more drama as Mostes put his boot through a volley and sent the Broncos and their fans home happy.
“It was like euphoria,” Clovis North coach Cam Shahrokhi said. “The moment truly felt like a movie. I’m so happy for our boys.”
No. 7 seeded Foothill-Bakersfield beat No. 8 El Diamante for the 3-1 win to claim the DII crown, Porterville beat Chavez 2-1 for the DIII and to put the bows on a 25-win season.
Garza beat Dinuba 2-1 in the DIV title match, Torres beat Riverdale 1-0 in the DV final and Woodlake beat Kennedy-Delano in penalties for the DVI crown.
On the girls side, Liberty won its 23rd match of the year and a section title, beating Garces Memorial 3-1 in the Division I title match. The Patriots finally got over the hump after losing to Clovis North three times in the finals in the previous four seasons.
Independence of Bakersfield won the DII title, 1-0 over Arroyo Grande, Kerman beat Garza 2-0 for the DIII title, Mission Prep won the DIV title with a 2-0 win over San Joaquin Memorial. The Torres girls made it a title for both teams, beating Orcutt Academy on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the DV final. Caruthers beat Riverdale 6-2 in the DVI final.
CENTRAL COAST SECTION
Both Division I finals featured St. Francis-Mountain View and Archbishop Mitty faced off. The league rivals have seen plenty of each other over the years, and the girls teams are two of the best teams in the state.
Kamryn Rosa scored two goals to bring the Lancers back from a 1-0 deficit. Mitty went up 1-0 just after halftime as Angie Cao Angie Cao D CA headed home a corner kick. Rosa scored on a chip over the keeper’s head about 10 minutes later, then scored again on short order when Charlotte Kohler Charlotte Kohler M St. Francis-Mountain View (CA) | 2024 State #17 Nation CA played a ball to her in to the middle of the area, where Rosa finished cooly.
“Kamryn is a special player for us and stepped up big time in the playoffs this year,” St. Francis coach Carlos Barboza said. “She scored a hat trick in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. She was full of confidence going into this game. And being one of our captains she kept the team composed when we went down early in the second half.
The Mitty boys scored two second half goals to beat St. Francis 2-0 as Jaxson Bettencourt and Isaac Castillo scored goals for the third-seeded Monarchs, who handed the Lancers their first loss of the season.
In Division II, No. 6 homestead upset top-seeded Mountain View 1-0 on a goal by University of Chicago bound midfielder Jamie Nguyen Jamie Nguyen M CA .
On the boys side, Hollister beat Los Gatos 2-0 while Alvarez won the DIII title 1-0 over Christopher. King City won the DIV title with a 5-2 win over Monterey and Stevenson claimed DV with a 2-0 win over King’s Academy.
Los Gatos, the No. 2 seed, beat No. 1 Piedmont Hills in overtime on a Maci Yannoni goal to claim the DIII girls crown. The Alvarez girls made it titles for boys and girls with a 4-1 win in the DIV final and Crystal Springs Upland beat Nueva 2-1 in the DV final.
NORTHERN SECTION
The city of Chico was the shining star of the Northern Section as crosstown rivals shared the spoils. The Chico High girls claimed the section title, beating Pleasant Valley 1-0, helping erase the memory of last year’s defeat to PV. Juliana Carranza scored the match’s lone goal.
The PV boys beat Chico 2-1, also getting pay back for a loss to the Panthers in the final last season. Both the Chico girls and PV boys have won two of the last three titles. The PV boys have won three of the last four Division I titles while the Chico and PV girls have split the last four.
In the DII finals, the University Prep boys beat Gridley 4-2, but the girls lost to Live Oak 1-0. The DIII finals saw the Winters girls beat Hamilton 4-0, but the Winters boys fell to Williams 2-1. The Yellowjackets boys finished the season 18-0.
NORTH COAST SECTION
The Berkeley boys won their third title in the last seven seasons, beating Dougherty Valley 1-0 in overtime. Jake Goetting was able to battle through the Wildcats staunch center backs, nearly slotting a ball home for the win, but a penalty was given. Senior captain Marlow Buettner buried the penalty and sent the Yellowjackets celebrating.
The two teams were evenly matched, possessed the ball nicely and moved it well. Berkeley’s defense was superb in keeping the Wildcats off the board for 90 minutes.
The girls DI game featured two familiar foes and two of Northern California’s best as San Ramon Valley beat Carondelet 2-1. The Cougars scored first, then the Wolves equalized as the game went into double overtime. Ella Beardslee stepped up and played the role of hero, scoring the title-winning goal just as time was about to expire. Lauren Kealy Lauren Kealy M CA assisted on the winning goal.
In the DII game, Tamalpais made the quick adjustment of moving Lauren Willard Lauren Willard F CA back to the midfield to help offset the speed the Knights were using to their advantage with Kyleigh Sekulich. Sabine Szylko Sabine Szylko F Tamalpais | 2025 CA also fought through illness and played the second half, playing at the left back position and she helped keep Sekulich in check.
Julia Costle scored both goals for Tam, the first coming on a well-created corner kick. The Hawks settled for a 1-0 halftime lead despite having several other opportunities.
Costle scored the second one as the attack for Tam asserted itself. The 2-0 lead was comfortable enough, but could have been bigger but for other missed opportunities.
Las Lomas made it 2-1 on a free kick and somehow avoided the offside trap, getting a player free and drawing a penalty. However, the Knights wouldn’t threaten again.
The DIII girls games saw Miramonte beat Cardinal Newman in penalties after the two teams fought to a 2-2 draw through regulation and two overtimes. Goals for the Mats came from Madyson Yu Madyson Yu M Miramonte | 2025 State CA , scoring from outside the box, and the second was from a penalty taken well by sophomore Sadie Leal-Schuman Sadie Leal-Schuman 5'5" | D Miramonte | 2026 State #19 Nation CA .
The real drama came in penalties when senior Shauna Lindheim buried the final PK to send Miramonte to the title. However, that moment was set up by freshman keeper Talia Kardon who saved back-to-back penalties in the shootout. She saved the fifth CN take, which would have ended the match had Kardon not saved it, then she saved the Cardinals first take in sudden death.
In the DIV girls game, University kept a clean sheet to top Marin Catholic 1-0.
Elsewhere on the boys side, Las Lomas beat Maria Carrillo 3-1 for the DII title, starting fast after seeing that Maria Carrillo had won its first three NCS games on penalties or with a golden goal. Knowing it was an opponent that would not go away easily, the Knights had to jump out quickly. Mason Lisi, Juan Pirajon and Maverick Wilson scored for Las Lomas.
Ukiah shutout Archie Williams 2-0 for the DIII championship and Cardinal Newman beat University 3-1 to win the DIV crown.
SAN DIEGO SECTION
St. Augustine won it second consecutive Open Division title and earned a No. 3 seed in the SoCal playoffs. They scored a lone second half goal, with it coming from Tavo Ybarra on a free kick, to beat Del Norte 1-0.
In the girls Open game, Torrey Pines scored four goals in the second half to beat Eastlake 4-2, erasing a 2-0 halftime deficit. Laurel Gonzalez, Lila Hershey, Abby Lea and Sofia Young all scored for TP. Sophia May and Lily Stewart scored for Eastlake.
The girls Division I game saw Bonita Vista beat Mater Dei Catholic in penalties, with Granite Hills beating Francis Parker 1-0 in the DII game. Rancho Buena Vista won the DIII title with a 1-0 win over Central, La Jolla Country Day took the DIV title with a 3-1 win over Calexico with Mar Vista winning DV and Tri-City Christian winning V-AA.
The boys side saw Steele Canyon score a goal in overtime to beat Westview for the DI title, and Oceanside finished off an excellent season with a 2-0 win over San Marcos for the DII crown. Monte Vista beat Olympian in PK’s to win DIII, and Mission Bay beat Mater Dei Catholic 5-1 on in the DIV final. The V and V-AA champs were Castle Park and Maranatha Christian, respectfully.
SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION
Jesuit finished off a terrific season and earned the No. 1 seed in the NorCal tournament after a 2-0 win over McClatchy in the DI match. Kellen Jacot got the scoring started for the Marauders on a goal assisted by James Andrew James Andrew M Jesuit Sacramento | 2024 CA , with Renner Smiley Renner Smiley M CA scoring the second goal, and Aiden Sandmeier assisting.
Jesuit overcame the high pressure and aggressiveness of McClatchy to win this game, doing a good job of limiting the mistakes the pressure can cause.
“We were able to absorb the pressure and aggressiveness,” Jesuit coach Paul Rose said. “We have played these types of teams before so our experience coming into this match helped us.”
Del Oro won its second straight section title, beating Davis 1-0 in the DI girls match. Del Oro did not allow a goal in the playoffs, and just needed one to win, which came from Kiana Faucette Kiana Faucette GK Del Oro (CA) | 2024 #218 Nation CA .
The Golden Valley Boys wouldn’t let Del Oro win boys and girls crowns, winning the DII game 4-2 while Valley beat Pacheco 2-1 to win DIII. Natomas beat Galt 3-1 in the DIV game, Summerville beat Delhi 1-0 in DV, Esparto won DVI with a 4-2 victory over Millennium and Futures beat Western Sierra 1-0 in the DVII game.
On the girls side, St. Francis won another section title with a 1-0 win over Granite Bay, and Rio Americano beat Oakdale by the same score in the DIII final. Colfax beat Placer 4-1 for the DIV crown, and Hilmar beat Argonaut 2-0 to win DV. Ripon beat Stone Ridge 2-0 to win the DVI title.
SOUTHERN SECTION
In one of the most highly anticipated games in years, the Open Division game in the Southern Section featured the two top teams in the state and two of the best in the country. Mater Dei claimed the 1-0 win thanks to a superb goal from Ayden Romo Ayden Romo 5'7" | M Mater Dei | 2026 State CA .
A ball was played long and high into the area, and the clearance tricked out just a few feet and Romo hit it one-time and buried it in the left corner for a 33rd minute strike that would up being the difference.
The Monarchs were able to disrupt the rhythm and timing of the very dangerous Arlington attack and keep them off the scoreboard for the first time all season long.
“We knew how good they were individually and collectively,” Mater Dei coach Sean Ganey said. “We stuck to our game plan of being disciplined through all phases of play, but specifically in the defensive phase. We sought to be intense with every action and made sure we were accountable to each other and ourselves.”
With two great teams and two great coaches in Ganey and Kevin Watson, the match became a back-and-forth chess match, it was an intense atmosphere and well played. It was a class game all around, and felt like a proper Open final.
“It was honestly such an incredible atmosphere,” Ganey said. “Two great teams battling it out, big time players, two great cultures. It was what a final should be.”
The two teams have byes in the SoCal state playoffs and are a win apiece from meeting again for an even bigger prize.
In the girls Open game, it was just as highly anticipated as it featured the top team in the state playing last year’s state champion. Santiago-Corona was able to knock off Santa Margarita and claim the crown, 2-0. Surprisingly, this was the first matchup ever between the two powerhouse programs.
The first goal came early for the Sharks, 10 minutes in, when Bri Garcia crossed a ball into the box from the right flank and Bri Norman headed a ball from 10 yards out that was parried away by the keeper, but only as far as the outside post where Lexi Coughlin tried a shot from a tough angle, and the ball once again was parried away but only as far as Krystal Medina Krystal Medina M CA , who was inside the six-yard box, and slotted it home.
The second goal came just eight minutes after the half when Maddy Saruwatari beat her defender on the left side just outside the 18, and when she got in behind and into the area she was tripped and fouled, drawing a penalty that she herself cooly converted.
From that point on, Santiago was able to keep a very dangerous Eagles team, with DI talent abound, from scoring.
“Santa Margarita can score in a variety of ways with a variety of players, so we knew we had to stay organized as a team from front to back,” Santiago coach Mike Fleming said. “Since goals change games, the longer you can keep a team off the board, the better. Defensively, we take pride in maintaining the shutout and to do so in the CIF-SS Open Division final is even better.
“We knew they’d create chances. We knew there would be moments in the match we had to solve some things just because of their overall ability, athleticism, and it’s unrealistic to think you’re going to be able limit a team to zero chances or zero shots. So we needed to make sure any opportunities and chances were at the least contested and their players would need to execute to near perfection and we weren’t giving free looks on frame.”
Fleming can now boast four section titles after winning the first Open title for the school to go along with a SoCal title in 2015 which only adds to an incredible resume of 465 wins, with only 95 losses and 97 ties over 24 seasons as head a coach. Fleming joined the staff as an assistant his first season and since then, the goal was to build something special.
“Since the 99/00 season, the staff and players have been trying to put something special together in terms of having a standard for our play, creating a culture of success on and off the field, and building a reputation as a program that can compete with anyone,” Fleming said. “I think the girls have, year in and year out, done an excellent job not only creating the standard but maintaining it and finding new ways to elevate it as well. I’m so proud of the girls for their commitment to the process and believing in each other and now they will forever be known as the first Open Division champs.”
The first ever Open Division title in Southern California goes to a public school from the Inland Empire, as Santiago has used this platform to shine a light on the quality of programs, academics and opportunities given at this school. Fleming is not only grateful for his players and his school, but his stellar coaching staff of associate head coach Shayon Jalayer, assistants Erica Holguin and Jesse Hardeman, and keeper coach Jakob Hansen.
On the girls side, Divisions I through VII saw Roosevelt beat Palos Verdes, Quartz Hill beat La Serna, Apple Valley beat Oak Park, Louisville beat Monrovia, Estancia beat Campbell Hall, Diamond Ranch beat Bell Gardens and Artesia beat Maranatha.
On the boys side the champs in Division I were Servite, who topped Orange Lutheran 3-1 in a battle of top teams in the Trinity League and in the state. Luke Williams, Korey Villanueva and Nicholas Nodarse Nicholas Nodarse M CA scored goals for the Friars.
In Division II, Newport Harbor beat Foothill in a 4-3 shootout, Animo beat Bell Gardens in DIII and Etiwanda topped Lakewood for the DIV crown. DV-DVII saw Upland beat Esperanza, Maranatha beat Wilson-Hacienda Heights and Covina beat St. Pius/St. Matthias.