Helix moves on in regionals; Valhalla run ends

2016 CIF Southern California regional playoffs

 

By Damon Santore
EastCountySports.com

Helix Highlanders (7) 1, @ Yorba Linda Mustangs (2) 0

The Helix Highlander girls varsity soccer team trekked up north to take on the Yorba Linda Mustangs in the first round of the 2016 Girls CIF Southern California D III Championship.

Helix (15-3-6 Overall, 6-1-3 Road) was looking to continue its magical run. Helix had a difficult test in Yorba Linda (17-6-3 Overall, 8-3-1 Home) but head coach Jeff Kepper has done a great job all season preparing his girls to play well on the road, and in big games.

Helix has watched their California ranking gradually improve and is currently 160^th in CA. Helix will look to upset Yorba Linda (29^th Nationally, 10^th in CA) on the road to advance and take on the winner of San Luis Obispo (3) and Liberty (6).

Helix has been playing great soccer, and its match up with the juggernaut that is Yorba Linda shows the roll the Lady Highlanders are currently on.

The first half was more of a feeling out process for both teams as playoff jitters were creeping in. As the teams got settled the action picked up. After the first half of action a score of 0-0 was the result. Helix, who has been a great second half team, came out and took the lead on back of a Claire Watkins goal and stellar goaltending by Hannah Ghana (6 saves).

Helix plays great in their own third and will look to keep up their amazing team defense (only 16 goals allowed).

Helix was one of only 2 away teams to pull out wins in this round of the tournament. The next challenge is the San Luis Obispo Tigers, who have lost only 1 game this season.

Helix next game is on Thursday March 10 at San Luis Obispo (26-1-1) at 6 p.m.

 

Valhalla (5) 1 vs. Placentia El Dorado (4) 2 (PKs)

The Valhalla Lady Norsemen (14-7-5 Overall and 6-2-3 home) hosted the El Dorado Golden Hawks (16-9-5 Overall and 8-3-4 away) on Tuesday March 8 in the first round of the 2016 Girls CIF Southern Cal D III Championship.

The winner would go on to face the winner of the South Hills (1 seed) and South East (8 seed) battle.

Valhalla (137 in CA 333 Nationally) had their hands full with El Dorado (Ranked 43 in CA, 99 IN USA) and would need to play as mistake free as possible to advance to the semi-finals.

The first half was a battle for possession and a feeling out process for both teams. Both groups of young athletes giving all they have to advance.

The second half would determine a winner after a 0-0 draw in the first half.

Both teams found a way to get on the board but neither could capitalize and take a decisive lead.

After the end of regulation the score sat 1-1 and PKs would decide who advances to play 1 seeded South Hills HS. Valhalla gave everything they have keeping up with El Dorado after each PK. But ultimately El Dorado proved too much for Valhalla besting them 5-4 in PKs.

In the 20th min, El Dorado put away a cross to go up 1-0.

The Norsemen got the equalizer in the 31st min on a free kick from Stephanie Fox that was finished off by Jenny Fox.

The scoring was back and forth in the penalties and was tied 4-4 going into the last round of kicks.