La Mirada High School girls soccer: A season like no other
La Mirada Varsity Girls Soccer coach Dave Christensen, center, with the CIF Championship team at the La Mirada City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
LA MIRADA — “Defense wins championships.”
That statement was spot on for the 2021 La Mirada High School girls’ soccer team, which came away with its first CIF-Southern Section Championship since back-to-back CIF titles in 2015-16, which also included a State CIF title in 2016.
And they did it with a defense and a goal tender that gave up just two goals all season and an offense that scored 63 goals.
The season was one of its most successful in program history, which concluded with a 2-1 overtime win over host Saugus, May 29.
The Matadores, which won their first CIF crown as co-champs in 2008, finished with a 15-1-2 record, which included 16 shutouts. Their only loss was in the first round of the CIF State Regional playoffs.
“You know what, this one was super special,” La Mirada coach Dave Christensen said, who is in his 31st year of coaching. “In 2015 when we won it, it was my 25th year of coaching.
“This one was really special because it was Division 2 and because it was COVID and a bummer year. This group, I knew we were good, but the bottom line of this group is the heart and tenacity that it took to eke out those games. To never say die and play all out, especially in the playoffs.”
Leading the way in this year’s championship with a game-winner was senior defender Marissa Marquez with the penalty kick in the 95th minute.
With the score tied 1-1, sophomore forward Cassandra Villanueva was fouled inside the box, which resulted in the PK for the Matadores.
La Mirada Varsity Girls Soccer coach Dave Christensen shows their CIF Division 2 Championship trophy. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“At first I didn’t know it was inside the box (for the penalty kick) and then Coach said, ‘Marissa, you’re taking it,’” said Marquez, who was at La Mirada City Hall for the team’s recognition on Tuesday night. “I said, ‘no I can’t, let someone else take it.’ Then Sage (goalie Sage Strohman) turned to me and we had a good talk and she gave me confidence.”
Marquez lined the ball up and shot and scored.
“I always look at the goalie and I just always put in the left corner low and hard,” Marquez said. “It was amazing. I just felt all of the pressure released. I just had the biggest smile on my face.”
Marquez, who also scored a golden goal in the first round over Palos Verdes and scored in the PK shootout over Mission Viejo in the quarterfinals, played only her freshman and senior season for the Matadores.
“I was on varsity for my freshman year, but I stopped playing because I made DA (Development Academy) for my club team,” she said. “I didn’t play my sophomore or junior year, but then I came back for my senior year.
“All of the younger players (when she came back in her senior year) were very welcoming and glad to have me back. They heard a lot of things that I did in my freshman year and we felt that bond and it helped us.”
Four La Mirada players were named to the All-CIF team – Player of the Year, Strohman (goalie), Marquez, senior midfielder Ryley Candelario and sophomore forward Cassandra Villanueva.
Named to the second team were junior forward Amarissa Alvizo and sophomore defender Mikayla Gonzalez.
Villanueva described the moment leading up to Marquez’ score; “I dribbled down and lost the ball and won it back and then (the Saugus defender) she tripped me from behind,” Villanueva said. “It was a good foul. As soon as she fouled I knew we were going to win.”
The team was also honored and introduced at the La Mirada City Council meeting Tuesday.
Strohman, who is headed to play soccer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, knew the confidence level was high for the team in the post season.
La Mirada Varsity Girls Soccer player, Sage Strohman, right, receives a certificate from Mayor Ed Eng along with the CIF Championship team at the La Mirada City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“Obviously, before going into the playoffs, only having one goal against and zero loses, we had a lot of confidence,” she said. “I think everyone believed that we could do it but no one expected what was to come with probably one of the craziest playoff runs.
“Winning one game in regular time and the rest in golden goal and one penalty kick win, it really took everyone to win this championship. I can’t express enough how proud I am of this team. Finally winning one was like a sigh of relief and I couldn’t think of a better way to go out.”
For the first time all season the Matadores found them trailing in a game as Saugus scored first in the opening half.
However, in the 35th minute, Villanueva scored her first goal of the playoffs to tie the game at 1-1, off of a thrown distribution assist from Strohman. Villanueva, who scored 10 goals and had nine assists in the regular season, traversed 80 yards down field for the goal.
Perhaps Strohman said it best about the community feel of La Mirada High School.
“Everyone who plays for La Mirada, lives in La Mirada,” she said. “We grew up together, and we truly have this bond together, which amplifies us wanting to win for each other and wanting to win for the program.”
La Mirada Varsity Girls Soccer player, Kayla Perez (27) receives a certificate from Mayor Ed Eng along with the CIF Championship team at the La Mirada City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
What they said:
Dave Christensen, Coach – “Looking for redemption was some of this year’s players who were part of the team that lost in the 2018 semifinals to eventual CIF winner JSerra. In addition, another semifinal loss to Mira Costa in its 2020 championship run was disappointing. That also included the loss in last years’ CIF State Championship.
“It was these experiences which ultimately enhanced their determination and grit into a competitive edge for the 2021 season.”
Christine Mead, La Mirada Athletic Director – “I would like to congratulate the girls and coaches on an amazing season. Despite all the setbacks from not knowing if they’d even have a season, to the shotgun start we had, to having to compete at a different time of year, the girls took it all in stride and flourished.
They have great chemistry on the field and they were super fun to watch. I am super proud of their fortitude throughout this last year and look forward to amazing things for years to come. Congrats to the 2021 Division 2 CIF Champs.”
Sage Strohman, Sr. Goalkeeper (Four years on varsity) – “My four years at La Mirada have been some of the best years of my life so far. From the moment I got there, I could feel that there was just a different standard there. After that first playoff run my freshman year, I was determined to bring one home. Never did I think the year we would do it would be my senior year, but it was completely worth the wait. After heartbreaking loses year after year, I knew we didn’t want to go through that same feeling again.”
Caitlyn Hickman, Sr. Forward (Three years on varsity) – “It was insane. If anything, we were doubted this year because it was quarantine and everything. Last year was supposed to be the team to win it all. We thought we wouldn’t have a chance (to win) this year.
“We all pulled together and were able to make it happen. That was cool. (Winning) was nothing like you felt before. A once in a lifetime feeling.
“It’s pretty cool for them (City Council) to acknowledge us and we’re making the city proud.”
Future plans: American Career College for Nursing.
La Mirada Varsity Girls Soccer CIF Championship team at the La Mirada City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Ryley Candelario, Sr. Midfielder (Four years on varsity) – “(Winning) was the best feeling ever. Coming back from 1-0 down, when they (Saugus) scored, I knew that we would get the goal back. It just was a matter of time. The goal came (for La Mirada) and I knew that we just had to get another one quickly after that. It was a great feeling.
“We’ve always been this close and this year we didn’t know if it would happen for us.
“LM is a very close community. Having us being honored (by the City Council) is a great feeling and accomplishment. We’ll always remember this.”
Future plans: Hope International University, Fullerton (Soccer).
Marissa Marquez, Sr. Defender (Two years on varsity) – “It (winning the championship) was unreal. I was speechless. All of my emotions were up and I just wanted to hug my teammates and have that feeling of, ‘we did it, it’s finally over.’
“It was so special to be honored by the City Council (Tuesday). The city is very welcoming and we’re glad we did it for them. It’s good to be a La Mirada Matadore.”
Future plans: Marymount California University, Rancho Palos Verdes (Soccer).
Izabel Garcia, Sr. Forward (Two years on varsity) - “It (winning title) was just a flood of emotions. I can’t believe we just won it. I was crying and my first reaction was Sage and Ryley. This is for them because they have been there all four years.
“I thought at the beginning of the season, I didn’t think we would be good this year. After our first game against Millikan (1-0 win), we did really good, like surprisingly. After that I knew we would have a good season.
“Being honored by the City Council makes it feel like it’s even greater.”
Future plans: Fullerton College (Soccer).
Jocelyn Salinas, Sr. Goalie (3 years on varsity) – “Last year it was very disheartening to lose in state and didn’t really go with the mindset of winning a championship. We came in with expectations, obviously, but we just used heart this whole season and led us to where we ended up as a champion.
“It was pretty nice to be honored at city hall and be recognized by the city.”
Future plans: Fullerton College.
Cassandra Villanueva, Sophomore Forward (First year varsity) – “It was an amazing year for me in general, meeting all my new teammates. Unfortunately, some of them (seniors) are going to leave and that makes me sad. It was an amazing season for my first time playing high school soccer on varsity.
“I’ve been playing wing for four years and I’ve learned so much from every coach I’ve played with. With (Coach) Christensen I learned to be strong and take more shots.
“(Tuesday’s City Council meeting) it makes me feel special and feel like I have a place. We worked hard and did what we could do.”