Submitted photos – The St. Bernard’s players and coaches celebrate their championship win on Wednesday night.

The dynasty is alive and well.

The St. Bernard’s Crusaders played in a sixth consecutive North Coast Section Division-3 girls soccer championship game on Wednesday night and defeated top-seeded Mendocino 2-1 to win their fourth title in five seasons.

The SB girls were fired up for the occasion, opening up a 2-0 lead in the first half, and that would prove to be enough to beat a Cardinals team that had lost just once in its previous 12 games.

“They were ready to go,” St. Bernard’s head coach Jeff Sellars said of his players. “They were up for the challenge.”

It was the second straight road win in the postseason for the No. 3 seeded Crusaders, who saved their best for last this year and had to overcome a lot of adversity on the way to the championship.

The Crusaders, who battled a plethora of injuries early in the fall, were undefeated in their final seven games, including five wins, after not winning any of their previous seven games.

“I think (the season) came down to fighting through adversity and focusing,” the first-year head coach added. “And that tenacious attitude that served us well.”

The always dangerous duo of Eliana Sellars and Amber Smith scored the goals that secured the championship, but it was a total team effort that paved the way to victory.

“I thought we played very well,” Jeff Sellars said. “It was a very difficult game, but we persevered. It was very physical and I thought the girls fought hard for every inch.”

Goalkeeper Sarah Luna has been a force between the posts all season and that continued to be the case on Wednesday night, while the defensive back line of Addisyn Burris, Sahara Tupua, Chloe Grunden and Paula Bullock held firm for much of the game, limiting a dangerous Cardinals attack.

Goalscorers Eliana Sellars, left, and Amber Smith with the championship pennant.

“I really thought they ground out a tough game,” the head coach said of the team defense. “They did a great job each game improving their communication.”

The front line of Eliana Sellars on the left, Malia Masayos in the middle and Cadence Figas on the right were relentless in attack and determined to not lose their biggest game of the season.

All three had a big impact on the outcome, with Figas “a beast fighting for possession on the right,” according to the coach.

In midfield, the impressive pairing of Smith and Alyssa Boham also played a pivotal role in the victory.

“Alyssa Boham controlled the midfield and helped support the attack,” the head coach added. “And Amber was tenacious working on driving the ball down the field.”

The championship is the sixth all-time for the SB girls, who also won section titles in 1999, 2003, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

That makes the Crusaders the third most successful program in the history of the small schools NCS tournament, which dates back to 1996.

Only St. Vincent with eight titles and Sonoma Academy with seven have enjoyed more success.

“It’s impressive,” Jeff Sellars said of the program’s success. “We’re just trying to continue that legacy.”

Afterwards, naturally, the players were delighted with the success, particularly one group.

“They were ecstatic,” Jeff Sellars said. “Especially the seniors, being able to end on a high like that.”

Assistant coaches Hanna Taylor and Alondra Adkins each also played a role in the team’s success this season.