Baisden makes her presence felt for Esperanza

DOWNEY – Unable to play in CIF-SS Division 1 championship against San Clemente because of a red card suspension, Esperanza sophomore Rylee Baisden made sure her impact in the championship rematch was felt in dramatic fashion.

Baisden scored the golden goal with under seven minutes remaining in overtime, as the Aztecs completed an undefeated season, beating the Tritons, 1-0, in the CIF Southern California Division 1 Regional championship Saturday afternoon at Warren High.

"I just wanted to get the goal so bad and win for my team," Baisden said. "The feeling of going undefeated is amazing."

Click here for photos from this game and Saturday's other finals.

The Aztecs (27-0-4) became the second team in school history to complete an undefeated season, joining the 1988-89 Esperanza team that won the school's first ever CIF title.

"She (Rylee) had to sit out the first game, and for her to come back and get the game-winner is something special," Aztecs coach John King said.

"I thought we came to play today and this season was an amazing journey."

After both teams opened the match looking to gain the upper hand, it was the Aztecs who established a sustained attack first, as Baisden and seniors Kennedy Roteman and Erica Mazeau helped the Aztecs get into the Tritons' attacking third early.

Esperanza nearly scored fewer than 10 minutes into the match, but a shot by Baisden was saved by freshman defender Sydney Fuertes after Tritons goalie Sheridan Hapsic was beaten on the play.

After weathering Esperanza's early offensive pressure, the Tritons (19-8-6) countered with their own offensive attack, as seniors Shelby Chambers-Garcia, Greer Zerboni, and juniors Alex Reisinger and Frannie Coxe keyed extending runs into the Tritons attacking third.

San Clemente's best scoring chance of the first half came in the 30th minute, but a line drive shot by Reisinger hit the post.

Though the Tritons continued to get pressure on the Aztecs in the latter portion of the half, they were unable to capitalize.

Esperanza responded by opening the second half with enormous pressure, as shots by freshman Nosa Ogiamien and senior Melissa Laxamana narrowly missed.

The Aztecs nearly took the lead again with fewer than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but a hard shot by senior Katie Gallanes hit the inside of the right post and bounced away from the goal.

In the overtime period, both teams had quality scoring opportunities before a streaking Baisden played a bouncing ball in the middle of the field. She found an opening through the Tritons defense and lofted a shot that went past Hapsic, hit the far left post, and bounced back into the net, touching off a wild celebration from the Aztecs.

San Clemente coach Stacey Finnerty credited her team with an outstanding effort in defeat.

"I've never been more proud of a group of girls," Finnerty said. "This season was a success and this group played great and battled. I'm proud and honored to be their coach."