OROVILLE, CA (YSBC) - Two teams represented our area on Saturday, Feb. 28 as they participated in the boys and girls CIF Northern Section Division II championships.

The Gridley boys and Live Oak girls soccer teams earned an automatic berth into the 2026 CIF State Soccer Championships that began this week. Here’s how their section title games went.

Gridley senior Cesar Alvarez (10) crosses a ball on Saturday, Feb. 28 in the Bulldogs’ win over Orland. Photo by Steven Bryla

Boys Division II

Gridley 2, Orland 1 - The Gridley Bulldogs and the Orland Trojans split the season series during Westside League play and the rubber match on Saturday was worth the price of admission.

It was a scoreless first half but both teams had slim opportunities at putting the ball in the back of the net.

Gridley head coach Jesse Barajas told his team at the half that he wasn’t happy with how they finished the last 20 minutes of the first half.

The Gridley Bulldogs boys soccer team celebrates their second straight NSCIF Division II on Saturday, Feb. 28 after beating Orland 2-1. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Bulldogs quickly built a foundation and put some controlled runs together early on in the first half and during the 58th minute, Gridley senior Cesar Alvarez had a breakaway opportunity.

Alvarez received a long kick from senior Jorge Castellanos and he gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Orland senior midfielder Nicholas Jaime tied the game in the 69th minute as he struck the ball from 25 yards out and curled it into the top of the post.

The home side of Harrison Stadium went insane as the Trojans rushed Jaime in celebration after the score.

Both teams won in the other's home field during league play. As the final 10 minutes of regulation came after gbf Jaime goal, both squads left it all on the field.

Gridley senior Nery Martinez (21) scores the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute of the Bulldogs’ victory over Orland on Saturday, Feb. 28. Photo by Steven Bryla

Bulldogs senior Nery Martinez, took the ball up the left side of the field and took a 45 degree toward the left and hurled a left-footed shot towards the top right corner of the post for the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute.

Barajas expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that Martinez hardly uses his left foot and the power he had behind the kick was remarkable.

Martinez told YSBC he was hard on himself after his junior season. He told YSBC that last summer, he rededicated himself to the sport and gave it 110% in his effort.

Barajas told YSBC that the people are what makes Gridley soccer the most special thing of all in the world.

“GHS soccer has never been about one person,” Barajas said. “It’s about shared work, purpose and goals.” 

He added that the players know what the expectation of putting on the uniform means to them and their legacies that have worn it before them.

The Bulldogs drew the seventh seed in the CIF State Division V playoffs. Gridley traveled to Winters on Tuesday and took on the Warriors in the opening round.

Live Oak sophomore Victoria Moralez (16) shoots late in the game during the Lions’ defeat to West Valley. Photo by Steven Bryla

Girls Division II

West Valley 0, Live Oak 0 (3-2) - The Live Oak Lions girls soccer team lost a heartbreaker in the D-II finals on Saturday night as the West Valley Eagles won the match 3-2 in penalty kicks.

Live Oak was the only team this season that held West Valley scoreless throughout an entire game.

That included the extra 30 minutes of distributed extra time in a championship game.

The two biggest play makers in the game were Live Oak’s freshman keeper Farrah Gomez and West Valley’s  junior keeper Trinity Ruberto.

Gomez and Ruberto were the two best players in the game without a doubt as their stellar performances in the box prevented multiple shots on goal.

Live Oak freshman keeper Farrah Gomez makes a save in the Lions’ loss to West Valley on Saturday, Feb. 28. Photo by Steven Bryla

Each team had opportunities to score, but overall it was a battle of two teams leaving it on the floor.

As the whistles sounded after 110 minutes of scoreless action on the turf, it was allowed time for a battle and face off between the two goalies.

Although the Lions were prevented from winning their third straight NS title, they have a lot to look towards.

Live Oak hit the road south on Tuesday afternoon as they played Ripon Christian in the opening round of the Girls Soccer Championships for Division V.

For updated sports coverage from all schools, visit ysbcsports.com