Wolverines Advance to Final Four with Shootout Win

Wolverines Advance to Final Four with Shootout Win

Vanessa Casillas made 14 saves and Nayeli Sandoval scored the game-winner in the sixth round of the shootout as the San Bernardino Valley College women's soccer team advanced to next weekend's CCCAA Final Four in Ventura by knocking off top-seeded Cerritos 5-4 in penalty kicks after the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Wolverines scored first in the regional final game at Cerritos. Jacqueline Garcia took the rebound of a Marcella Gallo shot and pushed it into a nearly empty net in the 42nd minute to give SBVC the 1-0 lead. It was the first goal scored against Cerritos since the Falcons' third game of the season, a streak of 19 games without allowing a goal.

The Falcons evened the score just before the half ended, as Shantee Martin was whistled for a foul inside the penalty box. Mayela Medina converted from the penalty spot to send the game to the half tied at 1.

It would stay like that for the next 75 minutes, sending the game to penalty kicks for the second straight game for the Wolverines. The teams traded goals in their first two rounds before a Cerritos shot flew wide, giving the Wolverines an advantage until Stephanie Doran was stopped. The teams were tied at four after five shooters, sending it to sudden death. In the sixth round, the Cerritos shot missed the frame, leading to Sandoval scoring the winner.

San Bernardino will play Friday evening at Ventura College in one of two semi-final games. The winners of the two games will play Sunday at 2 p.m.