December 22, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran soccer team keeps CIF title hopes alive with quarterfinal victory

Illa Sutherland of Crean Lutheran (right) battles for the ball. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / Ted Rigoni and John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls soccer team continued its quest for a CIF title, defeating St. Genevieve 2-1 in the Division 5 quarterfinals Tuesday night at Saints Stadium on campus.

Coach Stephen Jennings Saints (17-3-3) move on to the semifinals Friday night at 5 p.m. at home against Walnut. Hemet and Ontario Christian meet in the other semifinal with the winners advancing into the CIF finals next weekend.

“This has been such an exciting last couple of weeks,” Jennings said. “We are looking forward to the semis and prayerfully making the final.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Lauren Novell and Illa Sutherland scored the goals for Crean Lutheran.

“Her kick bent over the keeper and went off the back post and in,” Jennings said of Novell’s goal. “The second goal was scored by Illa Sutherland off of a set piece designed by assistant coach, Ray Han.

“Crean Lutheran girls soccer desire to win this game was strong tonight. They felt the love and support from the Saints family. We’re so thankful to have such an amazing group supporting us along this journey. It is truly a joy to coach this group of players and the coaching staff is so impressed with their hard work and determination to see this out until the end.

“Our amazing senior captains, Brooklynn Acevedo, Hannah Montford and Sarah Dougherty have led this team to where we are today and they are the heart of our success.”

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