Bulldogs and Lady Lions Knocked Out in NorCal Opener
Mar 06, 2024 04:20PM ● By Steven BrylaSummerville 5, Gridley 0
TUOLUMNE, CA (MPG) - The Gridley boys soccer team lost in the opening round of the CIF Division V NorCal Boys Soccer Championships on Tuesday, February 27, as they were shutout by the Summerville Bears in a 5-0 loss.
Gridley Head Coach Jesse Barajas told the Herald the Bulldogs couldn’t get into a good rhythm and found themselves down 3-0 at the end of the first half.
When Gridley was able to find their footing in the game and pushed some good offensive attacks, Summerville defended them well and the shots went wide.
Although the Bulldogs season is over, they had great accomplishments this season that included the top spot back in the Butte View League as they regained the title for the fifth time out of the last six seasons and a second consecutive trip to the CIF Northern Section Division II final, which added a trip to the state playoffs.
Gridley nearly has a quarter of their roster graduating this year and Barajas expressed to the Herald that when the class of 2024 entered the Bulldogs soccer program, they had high expectations to uphold to continue the traditional success of the program.
Barajas added that the 2024 seniors sustained their dynasty in the program, he wished them the best in their future and said that they will always be a member of the family.
“Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog,” Barajas said.
Although the seniors contributed a lot to the team, Gridley brings back a lot of talent next season to one of the two established soccer programs in the area including the great offensive push of sophomore Nery Martinez and Nolan Weagant.
Marin Catholic 4, Live Oak 1
KENTFIELD, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak girls’ soccer team ended their best season in school history on Tuesday, February 27, as they lost in the first round of the CIF Division IV NorCal Girls Soccer Championship to Marin Catholic Wildcats of Kentifeild 4-1.
Live Oak junior striker/midfielder Johanna Petrone (17) stretches out for a goal try in the Lady Lions’ 1-0 win against University Prep on February 24. Photo by Steven Bryla
Live Oak was given the No. 8 seed in the Division IV bracket as Marin Catholic was the overall top seed in the bracket.
The Lady Wildcats were efficient with their shot selection against the Lady Lions as 60 % of the Marin Catholic shots were on target and credited with being a shot on goal (16) out of their 26 shot attempts.
This was Live Oak’s third consecutive first round exit in the opening round of the NorCal regionals, but Lady Lions Head Coach Jose Acosta expressed to the Herald that he is thrilled with how this season went for the Lady Lions.
Live Oak senior midfielder/striker Mckayla Holmen tries to snatch the ball in the backfield against University Prep junior defender Ava Ranker (18) in the Lady Lions’ 1-0 win on February 24. Photo courtesy of Dominic Massimino
Acosta credits the success of the program over the past four seasons to the senior class of 2024. Acosta expressed to the Herald the rapid growth he has seen in each of the seven graduating seniors on and off the field and they will be missed in the program.
The class of 2024 accomplishments include three straight trips to the CIF Northern Section Division II final, followed by three consecutive CIF NorCal Girls Soccer Championship appearances, one section title and one Sacramento Valley championship.
On the field, Acosta loses key components of the starting rotation including his back line of defenders in seniors Maya Goodson and Maria Medina. Tagged along as a big loss moving forward is 2024 midfielder/striker Mckayla Holmen, who ended her career with 115 career assists.
2025 striker/midfielder Johanna Petrone will be the leader for Live Oak and continue the growth of the offensive attack, as the Lady Lions had plenty of young midfielders get experience on the field this season.
The Live Oak Lady Lions soccer program celebrated their first section championship in program history as they beat University Prep 1-0 on February 24. Photo by Steven Bryla