SANTA ANA – Emma Clark’s goal with three minutes remaining in the first overtime period lifted Mater Dei to a 2-1 victory over Troy in a CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinal Friday at Mater Dei High.
The goal was set up by Lily Slater, who dribbled along the right sideline in Troy’s end of the field and passed the ball over to Clark, who kicked in the winning goal from in front of the net.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Clark said. “I started screaming and hugged Lily who was right next to me. I almost started crying. I was so happy.”
The Monarchs (11-6-4) advance to play at Hart of Newhall in the semifinals on Tuesday. Hart defeated Aliso Niguel, 1-0, in overtime Friday.
Troy (19-4-3) came close to winning the match seconds before Clark’s goal when Megan Balderas kicked a bullet of a shot from about 20 yards out. Monarchs goalie Kelly McManus moved quickly to her right to stop the shot.
Troy goalie Sara Valencia made two clutch saves in a hectic sequence earlier in overtime, first blocking a hard shot and then diving to her right to knock away the ball on a shot that came off the rebound.
About 10 minutes into the match Slater gave the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. She unleashed a kick from a wide angle and the ball found its way into the opposite side of the goal.
After that, Troy began to take more control and scored off a header from Jillian Dias that deflected off of Mater Dei player and went into the goal.
Neither team scored in the second half, although both squads had opportunities.
“Everybody left it all on the field,” Clark said. “I’m very proud to be with this team today.”
