Falcons fall in playoffs
Palmdale made it to 2nd round for first time
PALMDALE — The Palmdale girls soccer team was playing in the second round of the playoffs for the first time on Saturday night.
The Falcons had never won a playoff match before and their playoff inexperience may have caught up to them.
Whittier Christian scored once in the first half and added three second-half goals for a 4-0 victory at Palmdale High in a CIF-Southern Section Division 6 second-round game.
Palmdale ends the season 9-8-3 overall, after a third-place finish in the Golden League with a 7-4-3 record.
“A miracle. It does feel like a miracle,” Palmdale senior Alondra Gonzalez said of the season. “I feel really proud of all of us. How we came together, we started rough in the beginning and then throughout the games, we did pretty good. We evolved. Defensively, offensively we did good. We did a lot of plays, but I’m really, really thankful for this year, because this was one of the best times.”
Several Palmdale players were overcome with emotion, but the Falcons received a loud ovation from the Palmdale fans after the game.
“I’m just proud of the team,” Palmdale sixth-year coach German Aguilar said. “This team made it for the first time to CIF in this program. I’m super proud. Obviously we could have done better, but I’m just proud of them.”
Palmdale played a tight first half against Whittier Christian (14-5-2), the No. 2 seed in the division, but the Heralds scored before the Falcons had taken their first shot.
Whittier Christian freshman Kaylie Ichaso scored on a loose ball from five yards in the 18th minute. Whittier Christian junior Analise Quintero took the initial shot from 10 yards that was deflected by Palmdale sophomore goalie Ashley Galicia.
The Falcons had five good shots in the remaining 21 minutes of the first half.
Palmdale senior Janette Gutierrez had a free kick from 12 yards go just high in the 19th minute.
Whittier Christian junior goalie Madi Torres made a leaping deflection on a 20yard shot by freshman Mia Hernandez in the 21st minute.
“I think we did our best,” said Gonzalez, a second-year player. “There was more potential during the first half, we could have got some shots. The second half, we did good defensively. We did our best. This is like the first time going to CIF.
“I think we were able to come more close together. We’re more of a family. We had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, we still gave it our best.”
Gutierrez had a shot from 20 yards go wide left in the 21st minute, off a corner kick by Hernandez.
Palmdale sophomore Jaqueline Jimenez
Flores had a shot from eight yards saved in the 25th minute and Hernandez had a free kick from 20 yards go just high in stoppage time.
“I think that we were nervous in the first half, because this is the first time we’ve ever been to CIF,” Palmdale senior Angelique Villanueva said. “I think we all definitely wanted it, but we just couldn’t execute the end result. We just couldn’t. Other than that, I think we’re all grateful for playing together and this game brought us closer. I’m glad I played at this school.
“This is the first time we’ve ever made it to CIF where we earned it.”
Palmdale senior Nikki Deleon suffered a right foot injury in the 35th minute and was carted off the field.
“First half started out a little rocky,” Whittier Christian third-year coach Christy Gravitt said. “The other team was definitely pressuring us offensively and they had a lot of speed from their front line.
“Once my girls settled in and started to play and distribute the ball like they know how then we started to score. Then it just became our game.”
Palmdale just missed on an opportunity at the beginning of the second half, as Villanueva just missed connecting on a ball by Flores with a cross in front of the goal in the 45th minute.
The Heralds took a 2-0 lead eight minutes later.
Quintero scored from 20 yards in the 53rd minute, just over a leaping Galicia.
Whittier Christian added a goal in the 65th minute, on a breakaway by junior Lauren Gravitt from 10 yards out on an assist from Quintero.
Palmdale was clearly rattled and the Heralds scored a minute later, on a goal by Ichaso from eight yards.
“Before the game started, we had a little conversation about it. It was an advantage playing home and a disadvantage at the same time,” Aguilar said. “They were going to feel a little bit more pressure. Fans get involved a little bit more, so I told them to just focus on the game. Once again, super proud of this team.”
Hernandez received her second yellow card of the game for colliding with the Whittier Christian goalie on a loose ball in the box in the 61st minute. Torres was helped off the field and was replaced in goal by junior Aiden Ochoa, who faced a Palmdale corner kick in the 76th minute.
Villanueva had a shot from 12 yards go just high following the corner and Torres returned in goal for the Heralds following the play.
Gonzalez had a shot saved early in the five minutes of stoppage time.
Palmdale defeated AGBU 3-0 in the first round on Thursday.
“For next season, I’m only losing like three starters, so we should be solid,” Aguilar said. “It’s a learning process with this program. We’re just happy.
“It was the effort they put into it. As soon as we started the season, we talked about it. ‘We can make this happen.’ Everything is on them, because they are the ones playing at the end of the day.”
The improvements for Palmdale began last season, when the Falcons finished 8-86 overall and fourth (6-5-3) in league, but they missed the
playoffs.
“I feel like we’ve always been told that we suck and we never made it to CIF before,” said Villanueva, a three-year varsity player. “Nobody really expected much from us. All of us really wanted it this year and we have so much talent. We just wanted it more than anybody else.
“We beat teams that Palmdale’s never beaten, like Highland. We only lost to Quartz Hill 1-0 last year. This is the highest we’ve ever been in 15 years.”
The Falcons finished fourth in 2020, but lost a wild-card match in the playoffs.
“My first year, we got a wild card, but I don’t call that CIF,” Aguilar said. “I just call that an extra game. This year, we went straight to CIF, for the first time ever in this program. Happy about that.”
Whittier Christian, which finished second in the Olympic League, is making its second consecutive quarterfinals appearance. The Heralds advanced to the Division 7 quarterfinals last year, the furthest they have gone in the postseason.
Whittier Christian will host Bell Gardens in a quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
Bell Gardens (14-10-2) beat The Palmdale Aerospace Academy 3-2 in the second round on Saturday, handing the Griffins (15-1) their first loss of the season. Bell Gardens led 2-1 at halftime.