El Capitan girls soccer continues ‘redemption year’ with playoff victory of Mountain House
Anaya Shelton called this season a redemption year for the El Capitan High girls soccer team.
A tie to Golden Valley in the season finale cost the Gauchos a Central California Conference championship this past spring. Shelton and her teammates rebounded this season to win their second CCC championship in three years.
Now the Gauchos’ attention is focused on making a postseason run.
El Capitan started that run with a scoring barrage as the No. 4 seeded Gauchos overwhelmed No. 13 Mountain House 6-0 on Friday afternoon in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs at El Capitan High.
“The championship meant everything to us,” said Shelton, who scored two goals against the Mustangs. “We have two seniors who have been on varsity for all four years. This year was a redemption year after we came so close last year. It’s a great accomplishment to win two in the last three years.”
Shelton recently verbally committed to receive a full-ride scholarship to the University of the Pacific. Her two goals on Friday gave her 27 goals in just 12 games this season.
However, it wasn’t just Shelton.
The Gauchos (11-3-2 overall) took a 2-0 lead into intermission after first-half goals from sophomores Mariana Rodriguez and Abigail Hratchian.
Jadelyn Sanchez and Isabella Pangelina added goals early in the second half before Shelton closed the door with her two scores.
“I feel we can go all the way,” said senior Kassidy Spiva. “We came close my sophomore year when we made it to the third round. This year I feel we’re capable of going all the way and winning it.”
The Gauchos will host No. 5 Sierra, which defeated No. 12 Vanden 4-1, on Wednesday.
Shelton hopes they can continue to get scoring contributions from multiple players.
“I think it’s crucial,” she said. “In key moments other teams are going to know who the key players are so it’s great if we can get scoring from other players. Everyone can be a weapon on the field.”
St. Mary’s 1, Golden Valley 0 — Emily Estrada scored on a set piece in the 25th minute as the No. 11 Rams defeated No. 6 Golden Valley at Veterans Stadium.
The Cougars finished with a 8-3-3 record.
St. Mary’s advances to Whitney on Wednesday.
Other Area Scores:
Girls
West Park 9, Livingston 0
Calaveras 2, Gustine 0
Mariposa 3, Stone Ridge Christian 0
Boys
Lodi 3, Golden Valley 2
Ponderosa 3, Pacheco 2
Sierra 2, El Capitan 0
Delhi 1, Escalon 1 (Delhi won on PKs)
Gustine 4, Humphrey’s Able Charter 1
