Mater Dei makes history in winning the state Division I title

<p><strong>The Bishop O'Dowd Dragons, #1 in CA, fell to the Mater Dei Monarchs with their only loss of the season.</strong></p>   <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p>   <p>When it comes to historic runs, the Mater Dei Monarchs had all the makings of an epic run. They came in ready to make a claim to the historic California Division I title. With an impressive 14 shutouts in the 29 matches, the key to the Monarchs' success could possibly go through their top-level defense. They had an impressive record of 18-3-8, with two losses to 3rd-ranked Santa Margarita and one loss to Notre Dame (SO), the 20th-ranked team in California.</p>   <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/2032975673472721403?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><br>The Bishop O'Dowd Dragons were also in the hunt with an impressive 19-0 record, while winning a treble as league champs and NCS Open Champions, as well as the NorCal regional champs. Their super impressive 15 shutouts were also eclipsed by a goal differential of 96 goals, with 102 for and only 6 against. I've previously covered their NCS open championship match against Carondelet, and their fully healthy team seemed unbeatable. Yet, with a few key injuries and player illnesses, they would be in a battle that could be decided by just one goal. </p>   <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/2032972357644726554?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Both teams were coming in hot and ready to stamp their names in the history books. The Monarchs got to the finals by beating opening round opponents San Marcos by a score of 5-0, Oaks Christian by 2-0, and their nemesis Santa Margarita by a score of 2-0 in the SoCal final. The Dragons won their opening round opponent, Rocklin, by a score of 4-0, then edged Los Gatos 2-1, and routed Buchanan 4-0 in the NorCal finals.</p>   <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/2032973738078322812?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>The first half of the match was somewhat evenly matched as both teams made runs on goal and took long-range and high-percentage shots in the 18. Time and time again, both goalkeepers kept a clean sheet in the first half as they made key saves to give their team a chance to win all the marbles. The first half ended with a 0-0 tie.</p>   <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/2032988952169427357?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Key players in the first half were Monarch goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='112266' first='Ella' last='Priest'], O'Dowd goalkeeper Parker Bridgeman, and [player_tooltip player_id='276576' first='Sadie' last='Siedel']; the freshman phenom and U-16 USYNT player was still able to make plays while being marked by a Monarch defender. Her quick and precise passes almost got the Dragons on the board. She also made a few runs to the 18, but the Mater Dei made sure to have players collapse on Siedel to prevent the top-level player from getting the crowd going. O'Dowd seemed to have a few more chances at goal and maybe the possession advantage at 55 to 45 percent.</p>   <p>In the second half, the Monarchs came out firing on all cylinders and got their first goal in the 45th minute (5 minutes into the 2nd half) on a stolen ball from midfield. The ball was then sent to [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Valentina' last='Labuschagne'] about 40 yards out. She then chipped it to Addi Doria, who was just outside of the right corner of the 18. Doria brought the ball under control with her right foot on a first touch and made a few cutbacks to shake off her defender before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper, who barely stepped off her line. Great technical skills by Doria, as the sequential play of trapping, dribbling skills, and a perfect dipping shot was one of the best I've seen in quite some time. </p>   <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/2033006462965002532?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Featured Players:</strong></p>   <p><strong>Player #1: </strong>Addison <strong>“</strong>Addi” Doria - 2027 - Mater Dei - Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] ECNL </p>   <p><strong>Player #2:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Valentina' last='Labuschagne'] - 2026 - Mater Dei - Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] HB Koge - Rice commit</p>   <p><strong>Player #3: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112266' first='Ella' last='Priest'] - 2028 - Goalkeeper - Mater Dei - So Cal Blues</p>   <p><strong>Player #4: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276576' first='Sadie' last='Siedel'] - 2029  - Bishop O'Dowd - Forward/Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'] </p>   <p><strong>Player #5:</strong> Parker Bridgman - 2026 - Goalkeeper - Bishop O'Dowd - [program_tooltip program_id='283434' first='Pleasanton' last='Rage'] - Cal Poly Humboldt commit</p>   <p><strong>Player Evaluations:</strong></p>   <p><strong>Player #1: </strong>Addison <strong>“</strong>Addi” Doria - 2027 - Mater Dei - Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] ECNL</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">In the second half, the Monarchs came out firing on all cylinders and got their first goal in the 45th minute (5 minutes into the 2nd half) on a stolen ball from midfield. The ball was then sent to [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Valentina' last='Labuschagne'] about 40 yards out. She then chipped it to Addi Doria, who was just outside of the right corner of the 18. Doria brought the ball under control with her right foot on a first touch and made a few cutbacks to shake off her defender before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper, who barely stepped off her line. Great technical skills by Doria, as the sequential play of trapping, dribbling skills, and a perfect dipping shot was one of the best I've seen in quite some time.</p>    <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/2032992426219155522?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Player #2:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Valentina' last='Labuschagne'] - 2026 - Mater Dei - Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='283476' first='Slammers' last='FC'] HB Koge - Rice commit</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The ball was then sent to [player_tooltip player_id='171785' first='Valentina' last='Labuschagne'] about 40 yards out. She then chipped it to Addi Doria, who was just outside of the right corner of the 18, where Doria converted to give the Monarchs their first goal of the game. In the final 18 minutes of the match, Labuschagne scored on a perfect low left PK shot. One of the hardest to stop. Precision and placement shot to the left post, to give Mater Dei a 2-0 win over Bishop O'Dowd in the State Division I Championship. Her goal and assist are MVP like performances. The Rice commit definitely looks ready for Division 1 competition.</p>    <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/2034109811454054643?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Player #3: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112266' first='Ella' last='Priest'] - 2028 - Goalkeeper - Mater Dei - So Cal Blues</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">She made 6 key saves to help The Monarchs to the First Ever California Division I Girls Championship over Bishop O'Dowd. She is also part of a 14-Game Shutout season prior to this match. Her shot-stopping abilities and anticipation are where she stood out. Ella made a few 1 v 1 saves and she has the athletic ability to go up high and make lateral saves. She has good range and can cover most spots. She is also comfortable with the ball at her feet and she can make strong punts to get the offense going. She's a player to look out for in the next rankings update. Ella plays club soccer for So Cal Blues.</p>    <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/2034116936213401902?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Player #4: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276576' first='Sadie' last='Siedel'] - 2029  - Bishop O'Dowd - Forward/Midfielder - [program_tooltip program_id='278035' first='Mustang' last='SC ECNL'] </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The freshman phenom made big plays in the first half, despite being marked by a Monarch defender. Her quick and precise passes almost got the Dragons on the board. The Mater Dei defense made it a priority to collapse on her once she got possession to prevent the top-level player from getting the crowd going. The U-16 USYNT player had a few shots on goal, and she also made a few runs to the 18 and almost broke into the defensive line. Siedel is one of the best players in the nation for the class of 2029, and she looks to have unlimited potential, and I look forward to seeing her compete with her Mustang SC team soon at ECNL Phoenix.</p>    <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/2034123690024309183?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Player #5:</strong> Parker Bridgman - 2026 - Goalkeeper - Bishop O'Dowd - [program_tooltip program_id='283434' first='Pleasanton' last='Rage'] - Cal Poly Humboldt commit</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">She made 7 key saves to help the Dragons get to the first ever California Division I title match. Parker kept a clean sheet in the first half. She is also part of a 15-game shutout season prior to this match. Her performance in the first half was worthy of MVP honors. I could see how only 6 goals were conceded in 19 matches. Her ability to make the big saves was on full display. I really liked how she was able to keep the score down despite losing a couple key players on defense to injuries. The Cal Poly Humboldt commit is ready to take her game to the next level.</p>    <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/2034118063164199053?s=20 </div></figure>

The Bishop O'Dowd Dragons, #1 in CA, fell to the Mater Dei Monarchs with their only loss of the season.