The Crusaders secured a first league title in three years while ending a four-game losing streak on Thursday evening.
The St. Bernard’s girls hosted South Fork and scored twice in each half on the way to a 4-0 win.
The victory lifts them to 4-1 in league play with one game remaining, but they cannot be caught even if they were to lose to Ferndale in next week’s league finale.
And after being beaten to the title by Del Norte in 2024 and by Ferndale a year ago, this championship was particularly gratifying for the program and the more experienced players on the roster.
“These girls really wanted it this year,” said first-year head coach Brandon Amis. “They came in with a check list this year, and No. 1 was winning the Upper Lake Tournament, and after that they told me they wanted to win the league.”
On Thursday the players answered the call and comfortably took care of business with several players stepping up, including impressive freshman Kinley Johnson, who scored a pair of goals, one in each half.
Another freshman, Paloma Granados also scored in the win, as did influential senior Malia Masayos.
Masayos had a good all-around day in the win and also assisted on two of her team’s goals, while another freshman, Kate Bailey, also helped set up two of the goals.
CJ Figas and Sariah Vainuku each also assisted on goals.
The game was the second in two days for the team, which fell 2-1 to Eureka on Wednesday, as the Crusaders try to rediscover the form that saw them win eight of their opening 10 games of the campaign.
And judging by the two performances, the players appear to be rediscovering their game just in time for the playoffs.
“We played a heck of a match yesterday against Eureka and just kind of fell short,” Amis said of Wednesday’s loss. “I thought we really got back to playing our soccer yesterday and we carried that intensity into today.
“They didn’t slow down a minute.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Amis, who has been about as reliable as any shot stopper in the league this year, had to make just five saves as her defense kept the Cubs attack at bay for much of the afternoon.
“And that’s a testament to our defense and midfield,” Brandon Amis said.
Up front, the Crusaders attack continued to cause opponents problems, with Masayos making her presence felt throughout.
“Malia played a lights-out game today,” the coach said. “She was all over the place, creating tons of opportunities.”
The always-dangerous Figas, who has played at an MVP level all season, also had a big impact and the attention she attracts from opposing defenses opens space for her teammates.
“CJ’s presence on the field makes it so everybody else can do what they need to do,” the St. Bernards coach said. “She opens up so many opportunities for Kinley and Malia.”
Versatile freshman Emilyn Wilson also continued to impress in a variety of roles.
The outstanding youngster had to move from full back to center back late in the afternoon when Paula Bullock left the game with an injury precaution, and much like she did against Ferndale a couple of weeks ago she made a seamless transition to the heart of defense.
Bullock will be back for the next game but Wilson’s form suggests she can take over a more central role next year.
Vainuku, Preslee Sundquist and Bailey each almost scored as well, as did center back Carli Baum on a couple of occasions.
“Winning league is just another goal that we set, but the focus now is on winning Section,” Brandon Amis said “That’s what these girls want to do.”
