Yorba Linda Women’s Soccer in their CIF Run

Photo courtesy of Yorba Linda Women’s Soccer Booster Board

The team prepares to travel to Rancho Cucamonga and play they second round game by taking a team photo in front of their team bus.

Emma Khamo, Section Editor

What started off as a rocky season for the lady mustangs, has quickly turned out to be a winning season for these girls. The soccer team started off with a record that consisted of 9 wins, 2 ties, and 5 losses during their preseason and conference play.

The girls had started the league with a fabulous win over Brea Olinda as they played through double overtime. Senior, Alyssa Jamison (12) came through at the end as she buried a free-kick from outside the box. The girls continued to dominate their league play as they only lost two games all-league to Villa Park.

During the second to last game of the season, versus El Modena, the girls clinched their CIF position with their 4-0 win. They knew it was time to focus as the last time the team made it to CIF was 2 seasons ago. The program also had a fantastic run 4 years ago when the Yorba Linda Mustangs went all the way to the CIF finals and became southern section finalists.

After league, the Mustangs received the number two seed in the division two-bracket and were scheduled to play an away game at Bishop Amat in their first-round game. The girls came out very strong when captain, Neleah Dunlap (12) scored their first goal of the tournament in the first 20 minutes, and unfortunately, Bishop Amat came back and scored one to tie the game before halftime. They continued to work hard in the second half and drew a foul in the penalty box which led their junior captain, Yewon Shin (12) to score a goal from the penalty spot. Mustangs finished the game with the score 2-1 and were excited to play in the second round.

The first round results were posted and the Mustangs were arranged to play Rancho Cucamonga at their field. The team came out very fast as senior, Stefanie Ball (12) scored a banger from outside the box, and only a few minutes later, sophomore, Lauren Farer (10) had a fantastic free-kick that floated right over the goalkeeper’s hands. They continued their solid lead and finished the game with a 2-0 win. These lady Mustangs were headed to the CIF quarterfinals at home. 

The team had prepared themselves for several days at practice and even had a double day on their President’s day holiday. On Wednesday, February 19, La Mirada traveled to Shappell Stadium and put up a great fight. The Mustangs came out very strong, but La Mirada fought back fast and put the ball in the back of the net early in the first half. Our lady Mustangs continued to fight but, unfortunately, they couldn’t get it back. The game ended with the final score 0-1 and the Mustangs were out of the tournament. 

All players, coaches, and fans were absolutely devastated about the end of their season, but they couldn’t be more thankful for all the supporters that traveled to far games and filled our stable. ASB filled the stadium with original and creative posters at our home game that led players smiling from ear to ear and peers and parents filled their ears with cheers. Junior, Elizabeth Salvador (11), says that she is “very proud of this team and their run. I can tell how hard they worked and how much they wanted it and their passion was very evident.”

We are all super proud of our Lady Mustangs and as a player on the team, I would like to thank everyone on behalf of our soccer program that has supported us this season, your presence in the stands truly motivated us and we couldn’t have gotten this far without your motivation. We are also super proud of our twelve seniors as they have all left a mark on every single remaining player on the team. Good luck in the future and we know you will continue to make us proud.