Madrigal Becomes a Scorer and Stopper for Santa Clara

With Niecee Madrigal filling multiple roles, the Santa Clara High girls’ soccer team defeated La Reina, 2-1, in a second-round Southern Section Division IV playoff match Tuesday at Wildflower Park.

The sophomore changed positions on the fly, starting and finishing the match as the Saints’ goalie and making 11 saves. She also spent a 13-minute stretch of the second half at forward and in the 69th minute ricocheted a corner kick off defender Tamra Cutter and into the La Reina goal to tie the match.

“I begged (Santa Clara Coach Bob Garcia) at halftime to get me just 10 minutes up front,” said Madrigal, an All-Frontier League selection in soccer, volleyball and softball. “I knew I could score.”

Santa Clara (16-3-3) struck for the winning goal in the 77th minute when Cande Ruiz crossed the ball from the left wing to the center of the penalty area, where Norma Gutierrez one-timed it into the goal.

Though she started only one other match at goalie, Madrigal withstood a barrage of shots in the first half. A number of good chances sailed past the goal.

Alicia Bueschen scored for La Reina (19-3-1) eight minutes into the match.