HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS : Third Consecutive Title Comes in the Same Way for San Pasqual : 2-A Girls

Top-seeded San Pasqual High School won its third consecutive San Diego Section 2-A girls’ soccer title Saturday night at Torrey Pines High School, this one in sudden-death overtime, 1-0, over No. 2-seeded University City.

Jenny Strother’s goal from five yards in front of the net 7:25 into the overtime period finished an aggressive, emotional title game and added one more chapter to the Eagles’ incredible championship run.

For the third consecutive year, San Pasqual (22-2-1) won the title in overtime, and for the third straight year, the winning goal was scored by someone who hadn’t played during regulation time. And if that wasn’t enough, Strother was wearing the same number jersey (No. 4), that Heather Armstrong wore when she kicked the winning goal in last year’s championship game.

This year’s storybook ending was set up by a Cathy Stark corner kick. The ball bounced in front of the goal, deflected off a University City player, and Strother booted it in.

“I knew it was in before I kicked it,” said Strother, a sophomore. “I just saw an open net and I kicked.”

For two halves and into the extra session, the battle was fierce. San Pasqual’s offense held the upper hand in the first half with an 8-4 shots-on-goal advantage, but University City (18-3-2) outshot the Eagles, 11-4, in the second half. Still, neither was able to score.

Meanwhile, Strother was sitting on the bench, trying not to look too disconsolate. “It was tough sitting there,” she said. “I was trying not to bum out. I trusted coach to put me in at the right time, because he always has.”

San Pasqual Coach Bill Bullock explained: “During the last 10 or 15 minutes, I knew Jenny was still on the bench, but I figured we were headed for overtime. I figured I’d put her in then because she would be fresh, and she makes things happen. Looks like I know what I’m doing, huh?”