In the waning afternoon on Thursday, February 8, the first round of California Interscholastic Foundation (CIF) for varsity girls soccer officially went underway against Arrowhead Christian High School. Girls soccer ended their regular season with a 12-6-2 record, more than enough to secure a CIF spot in their division.

The start of the game set an early tone for the game, both in scoring chances gained… and scoring chances lost. Arrowhead Christian scored first, flying past Ayala defenders for an early 1-0 lead. However, it took only minutes before Ayala struck back, an assist from Rosie Ashak (12) to Haylee Dean (10) to even the score at 1-1, a score that wouldn’t hold very long before the lead was once again lost.

With a 2-1 deficit going into the latter stages of the first half, a fortunately-unfortunate series of events unfolded to give Bella Contreras (12) a free kick from the penalty arc; the shot was blocked yet still rendered futile as Contreras charged the ball into the net to tie the game back at 2-2. With a brand new game at hand, the girls stepped off the field to rest once the half had come to an end.

While Ayala had already dominated the game in terms of possession up until the first 10 minutes of the second half, they were about to run circles around Arrowhead Christian like a child who refuses to stop playing with their food. A corner kick assist allowed Viviana Naranjo (12) to sink a header into the net for a 3-2 lead, their first time leading in this game. The girls once again erupted, and with good reason–all the momentum was heading towards the Ayala sidelines.

Throughout the game, it felt like the head referee had decided who he wanted to win before the game started; the home sidelines made their distaste for this trend very clear. However, in the few times they had something go their way, they made sure to take advantage of it. Such an instance became true when Ashak charged the ball, aggressive as ever, for another assist, this time to Sofia Torres (12). Only 20 or so feet from the goal, she found her way past the keeper to score an easy goal and an easy 4-2 lead  going into the final stages of the game.

Arrowhead Christian scored an admittedly-impressive surprise shot to cut the lead back to 4-3, so impressive that it had the boys soccer team cheering for them from the home side bleachers. Unsurprisingly, however, our girls wouldn’t let this trifling act of treason and betrayal stay unchallenged for very long. Back and forth possessions from the two teams led to Contreras racing to the corner of the away side, only to complete a pass to Ashak who finally got to sink one in herself to increase the lead back to two, a lead of 5-3.

Another goal was scored for Arrowhead, a valiant effort but not a triumphant one as Ayala closed them out on their way to a 5-4 final score. They had their (hopefully) first victim of what seems to be the makings of an even longer run through CIF this season.

Of course, Arrowhead Christian will now have to head home with their heads hung, still with the consolation that they were able to make it as far as they did. Ayala played Rosary Academy at Fullerton College today at 6 PM, awaiting a final score, which will certainly be recorded here on the Bulldog Times. Whether it be a win or a loss, it seems we can count our girls soccer to put in an undeniably passionate effort every year.