Over a week ago, on Feb. 3, the team faced a heated match-up with their notorious rival Edison. It was all the more tense as the girls knew it stood between them and the Sunset League champion match-up. As usual, Edison was a dogged competitor, assertive enough to score one goal, but LAHS brought the energy to match.

Viviana “Vivi” Zacharias, an off-scoring midfielder, worked with the team to score a goal that boosted the score to an anxious tie.

Make no mistake, every girl on the field played knowing they had to give it their all to secure that title. Even the youngest members of the team had their proverbial heads in the game. 

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Maleah Fennessey

Black and white are seen in close quarters when the teams prepare for the goalie's punt.

“I had lots of runs and chances that I was a millimeter from scoring,” freshman Jaelynn “Jae” Guidry said. “Although it was disappointing that I wasn’t able to put it in the back of the net, I’m glad my team trusted me enough to keep giving me the ball.”

Ultimately, thanks to the valiant efforts of both sides neither team scored a tie-breaking goal. From there, it was two add-ons of 10 minutes, and when those yielded more nail-biting anxiety for the crowd relief for the team, it was onto penalty kicks (PKs). 

“Going into PKs to decide the winner is always a nerve-wracking situation to be in, but our team, especially this year, is extremely driven and mentally tough (enough) for these instances,” LAHS senior and wing Victoria Bloch said. 

PKs are notorious for bringing out the jitters, especially when such a crucial victory rests on them. In the end, Edison’s goalie blocked some shots, but it was LAHS goalie Avarie Gonzalez blocking two shots and Zacharias scoring the “golden goal” that propelled LAHS to the win. The team’s pressured efforts and Gonzalez’s ability to channel stress into explosive blocks will be assets as the team moves forward. 

“(Being a goalie) is super stressful, rewarding and fun. Knowing you are the last line of defense from a win-or-lose perspective is a rush like no other,” Gonzalez said. “Knowing I just had to do my part and block the majority of their goals to get the win was stressful yet the environment I thrive in.”

As Bloch told Griffin Gazette, the win felt incredible. This was the second victory against Edison this season and further redemption after Edison beat LAHS in the Excalibur finals. However, it wasn’t time to breathe a sigh of relief, for to secure that title, they’d need to win the Sunset League finals just two days away.

The following Wednesday, Feb. 5, saw the girls battling ferociously against Newport Harbor for their eighth consecutive Sunset League champion title. Again, this pairing was a close match of skill and drive that required determination from both sides if they hoped to win. 

“Knowing we had already beat Newport before, it was going to be difficult to do it again but we had a strong game plan and were up for a challenge,” Bloch said. 

Lucky for LAHS, the girls were prepared to use their signature possessive style and daring shots on the goal to win that title. Baylee Fernley got the team a leg up with a goal in the first half.

“For me, getting the first goal felt amazing,” Fernley said. “It was very stressful being in front of the goal knowing you have to score because it is such a big game, but we knew we couldn’t give up any goals.”

As usual with competitors such as Newport Harbor, the game was restless and almost combative, with both team’s hunger for the win palpable from the stands. Plenty of throw-ins and sailing punts from goalies showed the teams’ power, while tight footwork to defend the ball from the enemy close on their heels exhibited the technical skill that got both schools on the shortlist for the champion. 

With Zacharias adding another goal to the score, it was evident that LAHS had secured the advantage. After defending their winning score through the second half, the game ended in a 2-0 victory; with dedicated effort and connection on the field, LAHS’ varsity girls’ soccer team added another Sunset League champion title under their decorated belts. 

“Winning felt amazing!” Guidry said, encapsulating the thoughts of all the celebrating, jubilant players. “The fact that even as a freshman I could contribute to making us have an 8-year winning streak was fantastic!”

After sharing a victorious moment of community and team spirit, the girls mentally fortified themselves to move onto the first round of CIF the following Wednesday, Feb.12. It would be a continued challenge to uphold their winning streak and high-scoring reputation, so it was necessary to consider how they’d play even then.

“When it comes to CIF, any team can beat anybody at this level of Division 1, so we need to come out dominant, strong (and connected),” Gonzalez said. 

Once next Wednesday rolled around, the weather was, for lack of a better word, terrible. The rain could easily make the ball and turf slippery while the canopies over the team benches humorously blocked the entire first half from LAHS fans’ view. Nonetheless, this was the first round of CIF, so the girls had to tough it out to move up in the brackets. 

The competition, Aliso Niguel, seeme to be one to watch, with technical strength, solid speed and pluckiness that kept the game constantly in motion, moving between halves of the field. Powerful saves from the away team and Gonzalez ensured the teams had to work for their goals. LAHS stepped up with bold shots on the goal and coordinated playing to match their opponent, which paid off very well. 

In the first half, Bloch kicked things off with the first goal for LAHS. Later on, she was able to put a second one away.

“(The goals) definitely meant a lot,” she said. “Scoring the first CIF goal assisted by one of my best friends on the team was such an amazing feeling and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other girls by my side.”

This sense of camaraderie is what carried the girls through tough breaks, helping Fernley, Sophia Bugarin (12) and Cameron Ainslie (10) get the three additional goals that brought the score at a momentous 5-0. With this victory in the first round of CIF, the girls are set to play Corona Del Mar for round two tonight, Feb. 14.

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Avoiding a foul can be difficult when the game is so quickly paced.

“Even though I know I won’t be able to play because of my ankle I’m going to be there supporting and cheering on our team,” said Bloch, who suffered a painful injury in the final 10 minutes.

On Valentine’s day, spectators celebrated love by witnessing the girls’ bonds with their teammates and give them support while they do what they’re passionate about. Win or lose (but hopefully win), they were in for a treat. Fortunately, the girls won with a 6-1 score and moved onto CIF quarterfinals. However, said game, Feb 18’s match against Troy High School came out in a 0-0 tie with Troy winning in PKs. 

Regardless of CIF being over, the girls seem to have enjoyed their season and gotten closer as a team.

“This team is like family and I wouldn’t want to win with anyone else!” Fernley said. 

When soccer season comes around next year, show up to see this spirit in action, and if it’s another battle for Sunset League champs and CIF victors, so be it. These Griffins have shown they can handle it.