The defending North Coast Section girls soccer Division-1 champions got a big boost ahead of next week’s playoff opener with a huge win in their final regular season game.
On Wednesday evening, the Ferndale Wildcats hosted Eureka and broke open a tight game with three unanswered goals in the second half on the way to a 5-1 win.
It was just the third loss all season for the Loggers, who are this year’s Pacific League champs.
“It was an impressive result and an even more impressive performance,” Ferndale head coach Sam Licona said.
In particular, it was an impressive day for sophomore Madison Hagemann.
The 2025 MVP of the Little 4 (now the Redwood League) missed most of the first half of the season because of injury, but she is finding her top form ahead of the NCS postseason.
Hagemann scored four goals in Wednesday’s win and looks set to play a key role once again in the playoffs after helping to lead the Cats to a first-ever Division-1 Section crown 12 months ago.
“She was very effective up top,” Licona said. “Just her connection with the rest of her teammates up there is making a big difference.”
Madison’s older sister, Macie Hagemann, also enjoyed a good day and is playing well heading into an important part of the season.
The junior standout assisted on two of her team’s goals.
Teresa Catana-Moreno also scored in the win, while Macie Wantt and Melina Pineda each also had an assist.
The Cats caused problems for the Eureka defense with their crossing into the box, and according to Licona, “everything seemed to click.”
It was also a good response from a team that lost 3-0 to St. Bernard’s in its league finale over the weekend.
Especially from goalkeeper Makenzie Chambers, who has impressed as the last line of defense for the Cats this fall, and had a good game on Wednesday against the top-ranked local team in the NCS.
“Our goalkeeper played a heck of a game,” Licona said. “Especially coming off the St. Bernard’s game when she felt she didn’t do her greatest. It was just amazing on her part.”
It was also a good team win at a crucial time of the season.
“The whole team played a phenomenal game,” Licona added. “We attacked and we were effective up top.”
With the win, the Cats close out the regular season 11-7-2, while Eureka dropped to 11-3-1.
