COMPLETE: Girls’ varsity soccer puts up a fight in the semi-finals but comes up short against Moorpark High School, ending their season with an overall record of 15-7-4 with four seniors moving on to play at the collegiate level.
By Scott Field, Staff Writer
After a hard-fought season, the Poly girls’ varsity soccer team made it to the semi-final game against Moorpark High School on Friday, March 6. Although they lost 2-1 in double overtime with penalty kicks, it was an exhilarating game. “It was a tough loss, but I could not be more proud of our team. We fought as hard as we could and left it all out on the field,” Captain Jonnae Joseph (12) said. With a solid 15-7-4 season record, the Lady Bears enjoyed every second of their season despite the tough loss in semi-finals.
The girls’ semi-final game against Moorpark was filled with energy from the cheering crowd and the girls did all they could on the field to put up a fight until time ran out. Peyton Perea (12) scored early in the game, giving Poly a 1-0 lead. The game progressed with both teams going back and forth between goals until Moorpark made an unbelievable shot to the top corner of Poly’s goal, tying the game. After both teams remained scoreless in double overtime, the game was settled with penalty kicks. Poly came up one penalty kick short, and Moorpark took the win to move on to CIF finals, ending Poly’s season. Though it was tough for the players, it was comforting for the girls to see Poly pride in the stands as the crowd cheered them on.
Although the girls’ season came to an abrupt end, four of the seniors will continue playing and are looking forward to competing at the collegiate level. “I am so excited to play in college. I have been waiting a long time for this, and it is right around the corner. All the hard work has finally paid off,” Perea said. Perea will be attending and playing for Wake Forest University next fall. Three of Perea’s teammates will be playing at the collegiate level as well, including Taylor Russell (San Diego State University), Jonnae Joseph (University of California Irvine) and Skye Bryant (Trinity College).
The loss of eight seniors will leave Coach Jaimi Brewer with several open spots on her roster for next year. The seniors hope to have left the younger team members with skills of the game that they may use on the field in the future. “It was a great season with a great group of girls. Hopefully, we taught something that they can carry on with them and the soccer program,” Perea said. With more room for growth as next season approaches, the team will train harder as they continue their journey for the CIF ring.