Wildcats shut out the Warriors, make it three NCS titles in four years

The dynasty is alive and well.

The first of at least three 2026 North Coast Section championship soccer games to feature at least one local team took place in Crescent City on Wednesday afternoon, and it was the Ferndale girls who prevailed.

The Wildcats secured a third NCS crown in four years with a 2-0 win over Del Norte.

“Three in four years, I think it says a lot about the program and where it’s heading,” Ferndale head coach Sam Licona said. “And it says a lot about the players.

“It just shows the mentality they have. They always want to learn and get better.”

The loss ended a 13-game unbeaten run for the Warriors, who have built a formidable program in recent years that is setting new standards for girls soccer at the high school.

A first-ever league title in 2024 was followed by back-to-back NCS championship game appearances over the past two seasons.

“I told them, look what we did here, we’re making a mark for girls soccer,” Del Norte head coach Shawn Eckart said. 

Wednesday, however, belonged to the Wildcats, who won by the same scoreline in last year’s Division-1 championship game between the two schools.

Both goals came in the first half, the first from influential sophomore Madison Hagemann, who has established herself as one of the best young players in the area in her first two years of high school soccer.

Hagemann gave the visitors an early lead they would not relinquish.

Another sophomore, Macie Wantt, added a second goal before halftime, with senior Teresa Catana-Moreno assisting on both goals.

The Ferndale girls were up for the battle.

“We played well right off the bat,” Licona said, adding that “the intensity was high.”

“Del Norte had their moments as well, but after that (first goal) we started playing the way we play and took control,” Licona said. “They played great.”

And they did so at both ends of the field.

“Defensively and offensively, on both sides of the ball, they did what they needed to do,” the first-year Ferndale head coach added. 

The Warriors started slow but would grow into the game.

“You know, in the first half our first touches were poor, and I don’t think we were communicating as well,” Eckart said of his team, which had not given up two goals in a game since an early September matchup against St. Bernard’s, the last time they had lost. “We played a much better second half and had some good opportunities, but just couldn’t convert.”

Both teams have reason to be proud of themselves after big seasons for each.

And both answered the call in the playoffs after seeing St. Bernard’s win this year’s Redwood League title.

Asked what impressed him the most about his team this year, Licona answered emphatically.

“The way that we were able to persevere,” he said. “Persevere through the most difficult times.”

Likewise with the Warriors, who have established themselves as one of the most consistent programs in the H-DNL in recent years.

“This team, again they were resilient,” Eckart said. “We had several games we were down and came back and won. It was a resilient team. Even when things looked bad we kept together. 

“To be honest, this is the most team team. They really came together. They see themselves as a team.”

The Cats also came together as a cohesive unit as the season progressed and the hard work and commitment paid off on Wednesday.

And both coaches also deserve a ton of credit for their achievements this fall.

“I really enjoyed working with them this year,” Eckart said of his players. “I think they did an incredible job.

“If you look at who we beat we have nothing to be ashamed of.”