In a thrilling overtime victory last Saturday, Sierra Women's Soccer knocked off Evergreen Valley 3-2 to advance to Tuesday's Round Two match against Clovis. The Wolverines (as the higher seed, #4) will host Clovis (#5) at 2:00pm on November 26 in Rocklin.
In Saturday's game, Sierra jumped out to an early lead at 18:49 when Grace Vargas netted a goal off an assist from Paige Martinsen. Evergreen Valley was quick to respond however, getting one past Sierra at 23:32 to tie the match.
Before the end of the first half, Sierra had an opportunity to regain the lead with a penalty kick, but Evergreen goalkeeper Gina Garcia had other plans, blocking the shot and keeping the score 1-1 headed into the second.
Early in the 54th minute of play, Sierra scored their second goal as Laney Paduveris fed the ball to Vargas who again found a way past the Evergreen defense. Sierra, now with a 2-1 lead, held the Hawks at bay until the 82nd minute when Evergreen was able to tie the match at 2 a pice.
By the end of regulation, the score was still 2-2, and unlike in regular season, postseason matches requite a winner, so two 15 minute overtime halves are played.
In the first half of overtime, Sierra wasted no time, with Paige Martinsen scoring another Wolverine goal at 82:19 off an assist from Baleigh Zamudio. With another 27:41 to go, Sierra wasn't out of the woods yet. Evergreen Valley would only get off one more shot before the end of the first OT half, and headed into the second, Sierra only had to keep the Hawks at bay to advance to round two of NorCal playoffs.
In the second OT half however, Evergreen Valley was again only able to shoot once, and with a game winning save from Sierra keeper Jordan Jiggins, that would seal the deal, and Sierra. would win the match 3-2 and advance to round two of the playoffs, hosting Clovis on Tuesday, November 26 at 2:00pm in Rocklin.