YORBA LINDA – Yorba Linda goalkeeper Allie Jara was nothing short of perfect in February.
The junior posted seven consecutive shutouts, helping the Mustangs compile a 7-0 record in that span, including two wins in the opening rounds of the postseason.
On Monday, Jara was brilliant in net yet again. Unfortunately for Yorba Linda, even a perfect stat sheet from its goalie wasn’t enough to punch its ticket to the semifinals.
After both squads were unable to score through regulation and overtime, St. Joseph of Lakewood bested the Mustangs, 4-3, on penalty kicks in a CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinal at Yorba Linda High.
“You always want to see the girls settle it on the field, but it’s hard when you’re getting into the 100th minute to ask more of them,” Yorba Linda coach Greg Aviles said.
“It ends the way it ends, but we definitely played to our strength to be in there, giving Allie Jara the opportunity to get the result for us.”
The Jesters (14-9-3) possessed the ball in the Mustangs’ territory for a majority of the contest.
While forwards Savannah DeMelo and Natalie de Leon put relentless pressure on Yorba Linda’s defensive third, neither player was able to net one past Jara, who finished with eight saves.
“(Allie) did a fantastic job of keeping us in the game today,” Aviles said. “She was wonderful in net.”
Despite limited scoring opportunities and producing only three shots on goal, Yorba Linda (12-8-4) survived regulation and overtime to send the match to penalty kicks.
After both teams netted goals on their first attempts, Mustangs midfielder Jackie Dunlap had her shot blocked by Jesters goalie Jasmine Valadez.
Not to be outdone, Jara punched the ensuing Jester kick away to square things.
On Yorba Linda’s fifth attempt, sophomore defender Taylor Asciak sailed her shot over the crossbar, bringing an end to the Mustangs season.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
