Tesoro’s girls soccer team had put together one of the more impressive runs to get to a CIF-SS final.
After falling to Santa Margarita in the Division 1 title game on Saturday, Titans coach George Deverrick said his team looked lethargic on Tuesday in the opening round of the regional playoffs.
But what Deverrick described as one of his team’s worst performances ended up being enough. Maesyn G’Bye’s goal in the seventh minute pushed second-ranked Tesoro by Rancho Cucamonga, 1-0, in a Southern California Regional Division 1 quarterfinal at Tesoro High.
The fourth-seeded Titans (23-6-3) advance to the semifinals, where they will face eighth-seeded Taft of Woodland Hills on Thursday. The Toreadors (23-3-4) beat top-seeded Clovis East, 5-3, on Tuesday.
“We looked tired today,” Deverrick said. “We didn’t make a lot of good decisions in the final third. It looked like a hangover from the championship game.”
Tesoro did its damage early. Selah Gilmore sprinted down the right side and fired a sharp-angled shot. Cougars goalkeeper Alexus Jones kicked it out. She made another stop on freshman striker Ally Cook, but G’Bye followed the shot and scored.
The Titans struggled to connect their passes the rest of the way, but the back line of Kate O’Connor, Kelsey Adair, Madi Cook and G’Bye had the answer.
Samantha Cude made five saves, weathering the storm on a couple of Rancho Cucamonga (18-2-6) set pieces early in the second half. The Titans’ senior goalkeeper said it’s nice to have new life after the CIF-SS playoffs.
“It feels great to get a second chance,” Cude said. “We’re going to play with our all, especially the seniors. This is our last go at high school.”
Also in Division 1:
No. 1 Santa Margarita 5, Rancho Bernardo of San Diego 1: Dani Spensiero scored twice, and Gwyneth George recorded two assists for the Eagles (20-5-2), who will be home for their semifinal against Torrey Pines on Thursday.
Santa Margarita also received goals from Madison Louderback, Caitlin Ramirez and Madison Curry.
In Division 2:
Newbury Park 2, No. 7 Northwood 1 (OT): Tara McKeown scored two goals for Newbury Park (16-5-5), including the winner in sudden-death overtime.
Danielle Solaru tied the score in the 41st minute for the Timberwolves (17-7-5), and Mackenzie Curry made seven saves.
In Division 3:
El Dorado 1, Valhalla of El Cajon 1 (El Dorado advances, 5-4, on PKs): Daria Petredes scored the clinching penalty kick for the Golden Hawks (16-9-5).
Athena Czegledy made three saves. Makenna Calderon relieved her in the shootout, stopping one shot.
El Dorado advances to face top-seeded South Hills of West Covina on Thursday. The game will be at South Hills.
The Golden Hawks lost to South Hills last week in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals.
Helix of La Mesa 1, Yorba Linda 0: Goalkeepers Emma Deane and Aubrey Osorio had three saves apiece for the Mustangs (15-6-3), but a goal in the 50th minute knocked second-seeded Yorba Linda out of the regionals.
