The San Marino High girls’ soccer team started their CIF Southern Section Division V playoff run in style, posting consecutive shutouts on the back of an offensive spurt in their opening two matches.
The Titans, the No. 3-seeded team in Division V, won a pair of 3-0 victories on the road against Highland and Channel Islands to set up a Valentine’s Day quarterfinal matchup.
“I feel like our team has been putting in a lot of good work. We’ve been really connecting with each other,” San Marino senior goalkeeper Callista Tan said. “Every practice we’ve been really having fun with each other and making it a really fun time, so, it’s been easier for us to get this far.”
San Marino (10-4-1 overall) traveled again for their quarterfinal match against Garden Grove High on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Results of the showdown will be included in the next edition of the San Marino Tribune.
After two lengthy trips to play the first two rounds, Tan said the rides have not felt as long as they have been distance-wise.
“On the buses, we actually have a lot of fun,” Tan said. “We’re always joking around and talking. We catch up with each other.”
SAN MARINO 3,
HIGHLAND 0
Against the Golden League runner-up Bulldogs in the Division V opener on Feb. 8, Titans sophomore Makayla Tokuchi scored twice and fellow sophomore Madison No netted once.
Titans junior Kailey Sabo tallied an assist, and Tan and senior Ava Kibbee split goalkeeping duties, each recording a pair of saves to help send the Titans into the second round.
SAN MARINO 3,
CHANNEL ISLANDS 0
Tokuchi scored another pair of goals against the Raiders in the second round of Division V contention on Feb. 10.
Titans freshman Sofia Rodriguez also scored against the Raiders, the No. 4 entry of the Citrus Coast League.
San Marino sophomore Sasha Ortiz recorded two assists, while Tan had nine saves against the Raiders.
First published in the Feb. 15 issue of the San Marino Tribune
