Photos by Jennipher Willis – South Fork’s Hannah Savio, right, and St. Bernard’s Sahara Tupua battle for possession during Wednesday’s game in Miranda.

A young South Fork girls soccer team enjoyed a breakthrough win over St. Bernard’s in girls soccer on Wednesday, holding on for a 2-1 victory.

Longtime South Fork head coach Ann Constantino believes this is the school’s first win over their conference rivals in about 15 years.

It’s also a win that will give a young Cubs team that features no seniors a big boost as the players continue to grow together.

“It’s been a while,” Constantino said. “We played a better team game, and I think that’s why we prevailed. We were finding each other out there.

“We just never give up. But I got to hand it to (St. Bernard’s). They were super tough. It was not an easy win.”

The Cubs took the lead on an own goal in the opening half and led by the narrowest of margins at the break.

The impressive Cadence Figas would equalize for the visitors shortly after the break, but the speedy Hannah Savio would net the game winner on a breakaway just 10 minutes from time.

After that, the South Fork players were able to hold on for the win, but they had to withstand a lot of pressure from St. Bernard’s in the final minutes.

“They were just pouring it on,” Constantino said of the Crusaders.

Junior midfielder Kara Worswick was instrumental in the win and had an outstanding game for the hosts.

“She really took over the middle of the field,” her coach added. “She had a really good game. She really understands what her role is and she has a very high soccer IQ.”

Defenders Flora Cruise and Zoe Bignon each also were instrumental in the win and epitomized their team’s fighting spirit.

In goal, junior Aurora Galaz made six saves to help keep the SB attack at bay down the stretch.

There were plenty of bright spots for the Crusaders as well, including the play of Figas, who was making her St. Bernard’s debut after transferring and looks set to play a key role for her new team.

“She was really bossing the midfield for us,” St. Bernard’s head coach Jeff Sellars said of the sophomore.

The ever-industrious Sahara Tupua also played a key role for the visitors, as she has been all season.

“She’s so important for us,” Sellars said of the team leader.

The Crusaders, who dropped to 0-1-1 in the Little 4, have had to overcome several key injuries early in the season and it showed on Wednesday.

“The first half, I thought we were a little discombobulated we kind of look like a team that hadn’t played that much,” the head coach added. “In the second half I thought we started to look like a team again and played really well. 

“I’m really happy with the way they’re fighting through the adversity. We lost a lot of key players at the beginning of the season, but I’m really proud of how hard they’r fighting through it.”

Some of the walking wonder are expected back soon.

Constantino also praised the home crowd.

“We always have a lot of people at our games,” she said. “They’re a very supportive crowd.”

It was the first win of the season for the Cubs, who improved to 1-1 in conference play.

Next up, on Saturday, the Cubs play at Fortuna, while the Crusaders will try to bounce back at McKinleyville.

The Cubs also play last Calistoga on Monday.