The MVHS girls soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the CCS Division III playoffs after a 2-1 win over Evergreen Valley on Saturday, Feb. 22.
“To win a CCS game is just a monumental achievement for our team, and so we’re thrilled,” head coach Jeff Paños said. “We’re thrilled just to live to play another day.”
The first half was close as both teams were able to put pressure on the opposing defense. Spartan freshman forward Charlotte Higgins hit a shot over the crossbar while sophomore goalkeeper Madeline Huang made multiple saves to keep the game tied 0-0 entering halftime.
Two minutes into the second half, Higgins capitalized off of a rebound and scored the first of the game. A few minutes later she scored her second.
“It feels awesome to feel like I really contributed to this game,” Higgins said. “But honestly, I have to give it up to everyone on the team who put in all the work.”
MVHS continued attacking, yet on multiple occasions they played passes that were called offside.
The Cougars began attacking more directly, sending long balls towards their forwards. With about ten minutes left in the game, Evergreen Valley scored a freekick that looped over Huang’s head, decreasing the Spartan lead to one.
The Spartans began dropping back to defend the Evergreen Valley attacks and ultimately did enough to secure a 2-1 win.
With the victory, MVHS advances to the semifinals to play Palo Alto, a team that they played twice during the league season.
“[Palo Alto], we’ve seen them twice and we lost to them twice,” Panos said. “We know what they’re about, but I think it’s still a very even matchup.”
