Yes the ball bounced the Grizzlies way but to be sure the Granite Hills girls soccer team earned this section title.
Angelique Gonzalez's shot from about 40 yards took a tough bounce off of Rankin Stadium's field that was misjudged by the Riverdale goalie and went into the goal early in the second half to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 win and the Central Section Division VI title on Thursday night.
With the win the Grizzlies advanced to the State Regional Playoffs with first round games scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Seedings for the state playoffs will be announced on Sunday.
“It was a powerful shot,” Granite Hills coach Jesus Martinez said. Martinez admitted the Grizzlies may have benefited from home field advantage on the turf bounce that went his team's way but as he said, “Like I tell the girls you've got to shoot.”
And as the cliché in sports goes, things even out as Gonzalez actually had a number of better chances that didn't go in. She nearly scored off a scramble in front of the goal in one sequence, had another shot just go over the crossbar and also sent a shot off the right post.
Gonzalez admitted about the goal, “it was unexpected, really unexpected.” Gonzalez admitted before scoring that goal she wasn't herself. “I was fighting myself the whole game,” said Gonzalez up until she scored that goal.
She became more herself after the goal, nearly scoring on those number of chances. “I knew I had it in me,” Gonzalez said. “I just had to trust myself.”
About winning the Central Section title Gonzalez said, “It means a lot to me and my teammates. Being my senior year you go out as a champion especially with the winning goal.”
And Gonzalez also joined her brother Hector Gonzalez as a section champion as Hector Gonzalez played a key role in the Granite Hills boys soccer team's 2-0 win at Nipomo on Wednesday night to win the Central Section Division V title. “Very proud,” said Gonzalez about his sister.
While the Grizzlies controlled the action for the most part, Gonzalez's winning goal would not have been possible if not for the play of goalie Alina Soto. Just before the end of the first half Soto made an outstanding diving save to keep the game scoreless.
In the second half Soto came out to strong a one-on-one opportunity and midway through the second half she made another outstanding diving save. “She came out big tonight,” Martinez said. “Big, big, big, big.”
Among the defensive leaders who were a big reason for posting the shutout were Jocelyn Estrada and Jasleen Alvarado. “What a warrior back there,” said Martinez about Estrada.
Alvarado gave the Grizzlies an inspirational lift as she literally came from her hospital bed as she was hospitalized a couple of days before to play in the game. Martinez said Alvarado was told by the doctor it was matter of how much pain she could handle as far as if she could play.
“She was in a lot of pain,” Martinez said. “She wasn't going to miss this game. It was important for her to be here tonight. She wanted to be with her teammates.”
As far as the state playoffs Martinez said, “Oh man I'm excited. I don't think there's a limit for our team. The sky's the limit.”