Flintridge Prep girls’ soccer hoists first CIF plaque
DOWNEY — Forty minutes into the most important match in Flintridge Prep girls’ soccer chronicle, the Rebels hardly appeared to be the offensive juggernaut that had blown past opponents and spun such statistical splendor throughout an already storied season.
Fifty minutes thereafter, the Rebels had found their fleet feet, pinpoint passing and overall dynamic game and rejoiced in the greatest achievement in program history.
Just moments after Rebels coach Esteban Chavez clutched a CIF plaque for the first time, he handed it to senior goalie Lindsey Uteda, who leaped into the air along with her teammates, drinking in a 3-1 win over No. 1 seed Garden Grove Pacifica in the CIF Southern Section Division III championship on Saturday at Warren High.
“I’m just so proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said senior forward Julia Gonzalez, the 2016 All-Area Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year. “This is what we’ve worked so hard for.”
Trailing in the first half by a goal, the Rebels looked out of sorts until junior forward Helen Schaefer scored the first-half equalizer and freshman Makenna Dominguez tallied two second-half goals to blow past Pacifica.
“Amazing. Honestly, it’s kind of unbelievable. It doesn’t feel real,” said Schaefer, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year, about winning the title, which came after a first half in which the Rebels battled an arduous opponent and their emotions. “I do think nerves were a big component for us.
“After 40 minutes, after halftime, there was no reason to be nervous anymore.”
Those nerves seemed to dissipate and the Rebels took over with Dominguez scoring less than eight minutes into the second half off an Arielle Guzman assist. With roughly eight minutes to go, Dominguez scored the final goal.
“Freshman year, my first experience and you go all the way; it’s great,” Dominguez said. “It’s great for the seniors to be able to win it and to make school history.”
No. 3 seed Flintridge Prep (24-4-2), the Prep League champion, has won 20 matches in a row heading into the continuation of its season in the CIF Southern California Southern California Regionals, which begin Tuesday with pairings released Sunday.
The Rebels, who have built a 24-match unbeaten streak, have now scored 147 goals and were averaging 4.96 per match entering Saturday morning against Pacifica (21-4-3), the Empire League champion, which had allowed just 16 goals and recorded five consecutive shutouts.
Alas for the Mariners, the Rebels offense proved to be the most potent they would face, as Pacifica gave up a season-high three scores as its nine-game winning streak, 16-match unbeaten streak and hopes for a CIF championship were dashed by Flintridge Prep.
Previously, Garden Grove had allowed a then-season-high of two goals on six occasions and was just 1-3-2 in those games. After Dominguez’ first goal it was clear the tides were changing in favor of the Rebels.
“[The Mariners] were really good. They got us out of our comfort zone. We’re usually way more technical,” Chavez said. “The fixing [in the second half] was just composure and don’t get away from what’s successful.”
Not to be overlooked was an impressive defensive performance by the Rebels as Uteda only needed to make two saves, but was her normal self as a field general in back of terrific days from junior defenders Caitlin Fong and Yasmeen White, among others. The Mariners only took six shots to the Rebels’ 14.
The teams combined for seven first-half shots, with Prep taking four. Eleven minutes into the second half, Prep had already taken four shots and was leading 2-1.
“We let them dictate how we played [in the first half],” Gonzalez said.
At the onset, the teams were feeling each other out as much as the slippery turf though the rain subsided as the game got underway shortly after 10 a.m.
More than three minutes in, Prep’s Mona Cesario took the game’s first shot and it was off the mark.
Possession went back and forth though likely ended in the Rebels’ favor, but their precision passing and offensive game was nullified by a very poised and physical Pacifica.
Pacifica’s first good opportunity came on a long ball over the top, down the middle as it used long passes and throw-ins for its best chances. Its best chance came past the midway mark of the opening half, which saw Fong whistled for a foul and given yellow card just outside the box.
The ensuing free kick was right at Uteda, who easily caught it for a save.
But not long after with 11:21 on the clock, Alexa Riddle took a long pass and split two defenders down the heart of the field and scored for a 1-0 Pacifica lead.
“It was a great pass and a great run behind our defenders,” Chavez said.
Fouls were called early and often against the physical Mariners, who didn’t seem bothered by them, but as they began to get called against the Rebels late in the first half, Prep began to look even more out of sorts, particularly Dominguez.
But the freshman standout was the catalyst for the equalizer with seven minutes left in the half when she sent a long, looping pass from the left side over the top into the middle of the field to find a streaking Schaefer. Schaefer had two steps on a pair of defenders and beat the goalie coming out with a shot low and to the left.
“I knew that I had to make the run early and she would get me a great ball and she did,” Schaefer said.
While an opportunity to regain their composure at halftime and the play on the field in the second half seemed to really change the game for the Rebels, Schaefer’s goal was monumental.
“After those fouls, I started really playing and I got the assist and that really pumped me up,” Dominguez said.
Added Gonzalez: “That was the moment when we knew we could do this.”
Following Dominguez’ initial second-half score, Fong saved the day with a header to stop a very dangerous cross.
Later, White came up big in the same way when she deflected a shot on goal.
Just as Flintridge Prep seemed to be settling in and truly playing its game, Pacifica made a push and began sustaining possession. But the Rebels made a run and a ping-pong sequence found Dominguez alone roughly 15 yards from the Pacifica goal where she lifted in game’s final score.
“She’s so amazing,” Gonzalez said of Dominguez. “I’m so thankful for her.”
A season ago, the Rebels marched all the way to the Division III semifinals and did the same in their first trip to the SoCal Regionals. Now they have an opportunity to win a rare triple crown of claiming a league title, Southern Section plaque and regional championship.
On Saturday at Warren High, though, it was all about winning a first Southern Section title, as the Rebels flashed their skill on both sides of the ball, their fortitude to get beyond their opponent and themselves to rally and carved their names into school lore.
“Freshman year, we got out in the first round and now to win it? All the hard work … it hasn’t even settled in,” Uteda said. “Every win, all together, put into one, that’s what it feels like.
“It was a team win. We just pulled through.”
Said Chavez: “This is absolutely the ultimate prize.”
Twitter: @TCNGrantGordon
