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Get ready for the rematch.
On Saturday afternoon, the top-seeded Ferndale girls edged St. Bernard’s 1-0 in the North Coast Section Division-1 soccer playoffs to set up a championship showdown on Wednesday against the only local team to beat them this year.
In the other Division-1 semifinal on Saturday, Del Norte edged Eureka 1-0 to qualify for the section decider, which will take place at Ferndale High School.
The Warriors, who ended Ferndale’s 17-game unbeaten run on the final day of the regular season, will be playing for a first-ever NCS crown after recording two playoff wins in the same year for the first time ever, while the Cats will be playing for a second section crown in three years and a first-ever in Division 1.
Also in playoff action on Saturday night, the Fortuna Huskies advanced to the boys Division-1 semifinals with a 6-1 win over Drew at Husky Field.
That win sets up a rematch with H-DNL rival Arcata and guarantees the league one team in next weekend’s championship game.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Ferndale girls this season after they won just two of 15 games in 2024 and fielded just nine players for much of that campaign.
But their perseverance has paid off with a first conference title in 16 years and a place in the NCS championship game.
And the Wildcats appear eager for the rematch.
“We’re all extremely excited,” Ferndale head coach Bailey Davy said. “I don’t think anyone thought this would be on our bingo card. What a fantastic season we’ve had, and this would be the icing on the cake to take care of that on Wednesday.”
The Warriors, who are unbeaten in six straight games, will also fancy their chances of securing an historic title after handling business against the Little 4 champs just 11 days ago.
“We’re going to go into it feeling like we did that senior night,” Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart said. “It all comes back to the fact these girls really get along well.
“A big part of our success is they’re all in it together.”
Saturday’s showdown at Ferndale was the fifth of the season between the Crusaders and Wildcats, with the latter winning all five, four of them by the narrowest of margins.
Junior McKenzie Chambers scored the only goal of the game in Saturday’s showdown at Ferndale, netting late in the first half on an assist from Madison Hagemann.
“(Madison) was very unselfish and laid the ball off to McKenzie who was wide open,” Davy said. “It was a beautiful play, a beautiful goal.”
And that proved to be enough thanks to a stingy Ferndale defense that has remarkably posted 13 shutouts in 21 games this year.
“Our defense was tight,” Davy said.
Influential senior Michaela Ellsmore anchored the unit at sweeper, alongside an impressive performance by sophomore Taren Titus.
“I think they set the tone for the game, so our attack was able to start from the back and move it up,” Davy said. “It really was a group effort. All hands had to be on deck today. We needed all 13 players to make today successful. The girls showed up.”
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The loss ended the season for the Crusaders, but head coach Jeff Sellars was proud of his players’ collective effort as they pushed the top seeds all the way.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group,” he said. “Today’s loss was tough, but the heart and effort our players showed were outstanding.”
There were several standouts for the team, including the backline of Carli Baum, Paula Bullock, Xochitl Granados and Sahara Tupua, as well as reliable net minder Kaitlyn Amis.
“Our defenders and goalie have been rock solid all season, showing incredible discipline and composure under pressure,” Sellars said.
Midfielders Amber Smith, Alyssa Boham and Macie Wantt also impressed, as did the forward trio of Eliana Sellars, CJ Figas and Malia Masayos.
“Our midfield worked tirelessly today, connecting the lines, battling for every ball and keeping our rhythm going even when things got difficult,” Jeff Sellars said. “Our forwards created chances, pressed hard and never stopped believing until the final whistle.
“This team has grown so much this season, not just in skill, but in unity, resilience and belief in each other. They’ve represented our program with pride every step of the way.
“This was a great group, and their effort today reflected the kind of season we’ve had — full of fight, teamwork and heart.”
Up in Crescent City, the Warriors took care of business against a Eureka team that had won the last four NCS D-1 championships.
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“We were pretty evenly-matched and it was a battle for sure,” Eckart said.
Lillie Franklin scored the only goal of the game in transition midway through the second half.
Junior goalkeeper Avery Ritter also had a big game for the home team, as she continues to establish herself as one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the H-DNL.
Ritter made an outstanding save off a well-taken free kick early in the second half, parrying the ball onto the crossbar and then calmly scooping it up after it bounced back down near the goal line.
The Del Norte goalkeeper has been working hard on her game all season and that is paying dividends for both her and her team.
“She made sure it didn’t go in,” Eckart said of the standout save. “Avery’s been working hard, taking extra goalkeeping practice all the time.”
Lillianna Ramirez also had a good game on the right wing for the Warriors, causing the Eureka players problems all afternoon.
“She had a really amazing game,” Eckart said. “I don’t think I’ve seen such a good game from Lillianna.”
Holding midfielders Hollyn Wakefield and Aurora Mitchell also were hugely influential for the home team, much as they have been all season long.
Teamwork and chemistry has played a pivotal role in Del Norte’s success.
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“We support each other,” Eckart said. “Even at halftime, we’re always propping each other up and making sure everybody’s working hard and verbally supporting each other.
“My team is tight.”
Wednesday’s championship game is set for 2:30 p.m
The Fortuna boys, meanwhile, will also be in action on Wednesday against a familiar foe.
The big win for the No. 2 seeds under the lights at Husky Field sets up a showdown against an Arcata team that edged them for this year’s league title.
That game will also be played at Husky Field, with the action getting started at 7 p.m.
“It was a good all-around showing by my boys,” Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said of Saturday’s win over Drew.
Kaden Lodes, Joe Eberle, Danny Cortes, Manny Diaz, Israel Hernandez and Wyatt Anderson all scored in the win, as the Huskies showcased their wealth of attacking options.
Brandon Cruz and Humberto Lopez helped anchor the team defense.
