Los Gatos wins the CCS DI Championship in PK Shootout

The Los Gatos Wildcats took down the previously undefeated Saint Francis Lancers and defending CCS champions in a penalty shootout 4-3.   USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription   When it comes to league championships, CCS titles, and NorCal Championships, the Saint Francis Lancers checked off all the boxes. Last season they had an incredible run while winning the treble (league, CCS D1, and NorCal D1) championships. Standing in their way were the Los Gatos Wildcats.   The Wildcats came into this match as the SCVAL-De Anza League Champions (11-0-1) and with an overall record of 17-1-3. They advanced to the title match by beating Leland 8-1 and getting a shutout against Archbishop Mitty in the semis by a score of 4-0.   The Saint Francis Lancers, the 2nd-ranked team in California and the 21st team in the nation, came in with an overall 19-0-1 record. They were the WCAL champs, going 11-0-1 in league play. They advanced to the title match by winning against Carlmont by a score of 2-0 and dominating St. Ignatius in the semis by a score of 6-0.   Warmups/Introduction   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2027545993827520747?s=20 </div></figure>   The first half was evenly matched with both sides making runs and looking for soft points in the defense and ending the half at 0-0. Time and time, both goalkeepers on each side made quality stops and kept any goals off the board. Saint Francis started [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'] in the first half and the second half was with [player_tooltip player_id='111087' first='Anneliese' last='Braun']. The tag team goalkeepers are also part of the team MVLA team which brought home a ECNL national championship.   Highlights - Halftime Score 0-0   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2027563071208931543?s=20 </div></figure>   In the second half, both teams turned up their offense, but the Wildcats had more attempts at scoring. Yet, the defensive stops by [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'] in the second half and in OT kept Los Gatos off the board.   On the Los Gatos side, it was [player_tooltip player_id='19290' first='Cora' last='Bryant'], the Hawaii commit who played stellar throughout all parts of the the match. Lets just say that "defense wins championships" as the old saying goes, and Cora's outstanding play earned her the MVP award.   Once it got down to the penalty shootout, the crowd was eager to see which team would come out on top. Tensions were at an all-time high as [player_tooltip player_id='19290' first='Cora' last='Bryant'] made a stop in round three, thus forcing the fourth Saint Francis PK shooter to convert in order to go to the 5th round. Fortunately for the Wildcats, the shot went wide, and they were crowned as the 2026 Division 1 CCS (Central Coast Section) champions.   Congratulations to the Los Gatos Wildcats - 2026 CCS Division 1 Champions   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2027591788052287861?s=20 </div></figure>   Featured Players:   Player #1: [player_tooltip player_id='19290' first='Cora' last='Bryant'] - 2026 - Los Gatos - Goalkeeper - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL'] G08 - Hawaii commit   Player #2: [player_tooltip player_id='206659' first='Avery' last='Edson'] - 2027 - Los Gatos - Defender - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL'] - Hawaii commit   Player #3: [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] - 2027 - Los Gatos - Forward - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL - Cal commit   Player #4: [player_tooltip player_id='175626' first='Alessandra' last='Munneke'] - 2026  - Los Gatos - Forward - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL  - Stanford commit   Player #5: [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'] - 2028 - Saint Francis - Goalkeeper - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL']   Player Evaluations:   Player #1: [player_tooltip player_id='19290' first='Cora' last='Bryant'] - 2026 - Los Gatos - Goalkeeper - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL'] G08 - Hawaii commit    The Los Gatos goalkeeper played a stellar match in regulation and in both overtime halves. Her key saves throughout the match carried her team to the penalty round. I counted at least 5 key saves on the day. Cora is great at reading angles of attack, and she can go up high to make aerial saves. She made a huge save that may have pressured the 5th shooter to try to convert, but the shot went wide, and it gave the Wildcats the Division 1 title.    Cora's Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2028352243679006757?s=20 </div></figure>   Player #2: [player_tooltip player_id='206659' first='Avery' last='Edson'] - 2027 - Los Gatos - Defender - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL'] - Hawaii commit    Avery held the defensive line and provided the 1v1 defense against St. Francis's top forward. She played tough throughout the match and set the tempo for the Wildcats to not be intimidated by the Lancers' attack. Avery's tackles were calculative and precise. Her ability to match up against top-level competition is what separates her from the rest. The Hawaii commit will definitely add to their defensive needs. I've covered Avery in many other ECNL and previous high school matches, and she always delivers.    Avery's Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3FbaIf4_pQ </div></figure>   Player #3: [player_tooltip player_id='82602' first='Abby' last='Nelson'] - 2027 - Los Gatos - Forward - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL - Cal commit    The Cal commit had a few close shots that just missed by inches. Her ability to score is definitely not up for debate. During this 2025-2026 season she has scored 39 goals in 21 matches and has multiple hat-tricks, including one to reach the playoffs. I previously mentioned that she could be the league-leading scorer at the end of the season, and by the looks of it, she definitely is by far. Her constant pressure up top and long-range shooting ability were the focus of the Lancers' defense. She is a very strong runner who can play at her back against the defense as well as make strong runs into the 18. Abby is ranked #9 in CA and #1 in position.    Abby's Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny5eeokyBZg </div></figure>   Player #4: [player_tooltip player_id='175626' first='Alessandra' last='Munneke'] - 2026  - Los Gatos - Forward - [program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] ECNL  - Stanford commit    The Los Gatos striker provided high pressure up top and constantly kept the Lancers' defense on edge. She took quality shots on goal, but the 2 top-level GKs made incredible saves during the 4 periods of play. Ale scored the Wildcats' 4th PK goal, which gave her 19 goals on the year. The Stanford commit is definitely ready for the next level.    Ale's Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2028363050374619312?s=20 </div></figure>   Player #5: [player_tooltip player_id='111094' first='Sophia' last='Malloy'] - 2028 - Saint Francis - Goalkeeper - [program_tooltip program_id='278033' first='MVLA' last='ECNL']    The Saint Francis goalkeeper played lights out in the first half and in both OT halves. Her key saves throughout the match carried her team to the penalty round. I counted at least 6 key saves on the day. Sophia is great at anticipating attacking lanes, and she's fearless in 1v1s. She's also good at playing the ball with her feet, and she can deliver some long-range punts. Sophia played a big part in stopping the high-powered Wildcats attack.    Sophia's Highlights:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/2028358073367322918?s=20 </div></figure>   Wishing both teams the best of luck in the NorCal Division 1 Championship, as they both could have a rematch in the regional finals. If this happens, one of them would represent NorCal in the first-ever California State Championship on March 14. In the first round of the CIF State Girls Soccer Championships, #5 Buchanan will play at #4 St. Francis, and #6 Vacaville will play at #3 Los Gatos.

The Los Gatos Wildcats took down the previously undefeated Saint Francis Lancers and defending CCS champions in a penalty shootout 4-3.