By Justin HAGER

The CVHS girls’ soccer team looked unstoppable heading into Saturday’s CIF Southern Section semifinal match against Alta Loma. The Falcons had won 11 in a row including a 3-0 rout of U.S. top 500 La Cañada. But despite the dozens of fans who made the hour-long drive to watch the match live, a victory was not to be as the girls lost in a 2-1 defensive battle.  

The Falcons only goal came from junior Rachel Park who, despite the loss, said it felt good to be able to score in the postseason.

“This season was so uncertain,” she said, “but the opportunity to extend our season into the tournament, play with our seniors more, and make all of the practice we put in pay off was really exciting.”

After a season that nearly ended before it began due to COVID, the loss was heartbreaking but fortunately for the Falcons, the sting of the loss was short-lived after the team learned that their historic run to the CIF Southern Section semi-final had earned them the opportunity to play in the CIF regional tournament for the first time since 2002.

After the match, the sense of pride was palpable from Head Coach Tyraysha Peterson.

“I’m just really proud,” said Peterson. “I could never have dreamed this when we got together at spring break.”

Rachel Ryan, the mother of senior Dana Ryan, echoed this sentiment, calling the girls historic run “absolutely amazing,” while explaining that for her daughter and many of the girls who have played together since they were 6 years old, this moment was everything they had dreamed of.

“They sat out for so long this year,” she explained, “but from the moment they got back together their attitude was that ‘We’re gonna go get it.’”

Robert Parada, who coached many of the girls when they were younger and whose daughter, Megan, plays on the team, added that he “has nothing but pride for these girls, who they are, and what they have given to their parents, their school, and their community. 

The brackets for the 2021 CIF Southern California Regional Soccer Championships will be released on Sunday, May 30, with games being played June 1-5. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, northern California will not be participating in the CIF state tournament this year, making the Southern California regionals effectively the state championship.