The fate of the Wilson Bruins girls’ soccer team seemed set early in their CIF Semifinal match with San Clemente yesterday afternoon at Wilson High. A conservative whistle allowed the physical play that the Tritons thrive on, and the visitors took advantage.
The Bruins didn’t get into an offensive rhythm until it was too late and San Clemente took the victory off a hand ball and penalty kick from Shelby Chambers-Garcia in the 50th minute for the 1-0 win.
“They were very physical,” said Wilson head coach Jason Kirkwood of San Clemente. “That’s not all they were, I mean they are very technical and they pass well… but we get that look when we play Poly, they’re in an absolute blood bath down there in the South Coast League. They live off of that physical play.”
The game started as most expected with the action contained to the midfield. Wilson was the first to break through and it looked like they had taken the early lead on a high volley from Renee Mendiola, but offsides was called on the play.
San Clemente answered with high pressure defense and long runs on the wing that helped them outshot Wilson 10-to-6 in the first half while earning three corner kicks.
“You give them space, they’ll go right around you,” San Clemente co-head coach Shayla Sabin. “We told the girls how they needed to step up, and they did. We had to play with high pressure.”
That push early in the second half broke the scoreless tie when the ball was batted around in the Wilson box. The ball ricochet off an arm of a Bruin, and Chambers-Garcia went running to the penalty spot. She drilled home the PK, and despite six shots after the goal, Wilson couldn’t find the equalizer.
“These seniors and this team has achieved pretty much everything you can as a high school athlete, and no one can take that away from them,” said Kirkwood.
This is the third time in six years that the Bruins reached the semifinals.