BREAKING: Dos Pueblos girls soccer faced a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against La Mirada High in the opening round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs on Thursday night, July 15, 2023, at Scott O’Leary Stadium in Goleta. This loss marks the end of a promising season for the Chargers, who concluded their campaign with an overall record of 13-5-5.
The Chargers, led by first-year head coach George Hedricks, featured a strong senior class of 10 players. Despite the season’s end, the team showed significant improvement from last year’s seven-win performance. “I felt lucky to get into this group and have a good group of girls who were willing to take on a new coach,” Hedricks said, highlighting the strong relationships built throughout the season.
The match kicked off with both teams showcasing solid defensive strategies, leading to a tense first half that ended in a 0-0 tie. Dos Pueblos controlled much of the play, forcing three corner kicks but struggled to convert opportunities into shots on goal. “We had a lot of opportunities and some pretty good shots on goal, just couldn’t get it on frame,” Hedricks noted.
Goalkeeper Darlene Aguilar was instrumental in keeping Dos Pueblos in the game, making four key saves in the first half alone. Hedricks praised her performance, stating, “I can’t say enough good things about Darlene and what she did all year.” Aguilar’s confidence grew throughout the season, stepping up when needed after an injury to senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Simmons.
As the second half began, Dos Pueblos aimed to break the deadlock. Players Paige Ferro and Hazel Burgess both registered shots on goal, but La Mirada’s defense held firm. The turning point occurred in the 53rd minute when a handball by a Dos Pueblos defender in the penalty area led to a penalty kick. La Mirada’s Zoey Santiago converted the opportunity, putting her team ahead 1-0.
“It’s really unfortunate that this game came down to that,” Hedricks remarked, reflecting on the critical moment that decided the match.
Despite the setback, the Chargers’ defense remained steadfast, providing multiple opportunities for an equalizer. However, they were unable to capitalize on their chances, allowing La Mirada to secure the victory and advance to face Valencia in the next round.
Looking ahead, Coach Hedricks expressed optimism for the future, noting the valuable experience gained this season by the younger players. “Hopefully, these girls who are coming back next year got a ton of experience, and then we’ll just keep that going next year,” he stated.
As news of this thrilling playoff match spreads, fans and players alike are left reflecting on a season filled with potential and the promise of improvements in the years to come.
