Valencia rallies past Yorba Linda in overtime thriller

YORBA LINDA- The determined persistence of junior Alexandra White and the Valencia Tigers helped them win in dramatic fashion and move one step closer to their first league title in 12 years.
    
White scored two goals, including the match-deciding goal with five minutes left in overtime, as the Tigers rallied to edge the Yorba Linda Mustangs 2-1 Friday at Yorba Linda High.
    
“Our team worked very well together and played with our hearts,” White said. “Everyone was in the mode that we wanted to get the win and get in first place. We played with a lot of energy, and finally in the last five minutes of overtime, we got one through.”
    
Valencia (15-4-4, 9-2) can clinch the Empire League with a victory on Tuesday when they host Pacifica in the regular season finale.

Yorba Linda (13-10-2, 7-2-1) is still alive for the league title, but can only clinch if Valencia loses to the Mariners and the Mustangs defeat both Cypress and Kennedy in their final two league matches next week.
    
“Every single girl on the team played strong through every single play,” Tigers coach Barry Gardner said. “We talked about how we had to play tough, never give up, and play our game.”
    
Valencia opened the match with heavy pressure into the attacking third and had five shots on frame in the first 15 minutes, but Mustangs junior goalie Kristen Kleinow (10 saves) prevented any scoring.
    
Yorba Linda began to counterattack the Tigers offensive pressure and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. Off a side throw-in by junior Ashley Webb, fellow junior Shelby Lanksbury blasted a hard line drive shot over the lunging reach of Tigers sophomore goalie Caitlyn Schrepfer and into the upper far corner of the goal.
    
The Tigers continued to attack the Mustangs defense with extended possessions and deep runs into the attacking third and nearly added to the lead in the 19th minute. Senior Nicole Millar dribbled toward the goal and slipped a crossing pass to White in front of the goal. But her subsequent shot attempt was stopped by Kleinow with a lunging dive to her right.
    
Valencia continued its offensive pressure into the second half, and produced the match-equalizing goal in the 57th minute. Senior Kierstin Gamba chased down a ball rolling toward the corner, and just before the ball rolled out of bounds, sent a cross into the box for White who chipped a shot over the head of Mustangs senior goalie Hayley Romero and into the back of the net.
    
Both teams had chances in the closing minutes of regulation, but Tigers senior defender Brittany Norton cleared the Mustangs chance away from the attacking third, while Mustangs junior defender Taryn Tanaka answered on the Tigers final run by knocking a ball away from the middle of the attacking third.
    
The Mustangs best scoring chance in overtime came five minutes in. Mustangs junior Emily Schleppy boomed a free kick from around the 30 yard line that nearly tucked under the crossbar before Schrepfer made the save.
    
Valencia again began to penetrate the Mustangs defense deep into the attacking third, and in the 12th minute of overtime, White lofted a shot toward the goal that bounced off the crossbar.
    
Over the next two minutes, White produced two more shots on goal that were both saved by Romero, who had 10 saves in the second half and in overtime.
    
Then on the Tigers ensuing attack, White sprinted for a loose ball in the middle of the box that Romero managed to deflect on a hard run-up from the goal. But White tracked down the deflected ball and floated a shot into the empty goal for the match-winner.
    
“We knew coming into the match that Valencia was relentless and leaves it all on the field,” Mustangs coach Greg Aviles said. “We’re going to continue to move forward, look ahead to the next step, which is Cypress on Monday, and do our part to put ourselves in position and hope we get help.”