Sacred Heart Prep poses with the CIF Northern California Division IV regional girls’ soccer championship Saturday at Fresno Christian.
“Perfect! Leah!”
That was the commentary heard on the streaming footage posted at the X page for Sacred Heart Prep Athletics, the voice rejoicing in real time as senior Leah Lynch connected for the game-winning header in the CIF Northern California Division IV girls’ soccer regional finals.
In search of their program’s first-ever Nor Cal girls’ soccer championship, the Gators (14-7-3) delivered a 3-2 win at top-seed Fresno Christian. Lynch scored two goals over the final 10 minutes of play to put SHP over the top.
Things weren’t looking good in the late going for No. 3 SHP. The Gators led early, earning a 1-0 advantage on freshman Averie Sui’s goal with an assist from junior Lewa White. But Fresno Christian (19-3) scored the equalizer before halftime, then took a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute — then hunkered in to keep the Gators off the board for over 10 minutes to follow.
Lynch changed that, though, equalizing in the 72nd minute on White’s second assist of the day. With the game deadlocked 2-2 in stoppage play, the Gators earned a corner kick, which proved to be the program’s date with Nor Cal destiny.
Senior Camy Sheldon sent in the corner to the back post as Lynch rose from the pack. The long, strong senior then connected to place a top shelf goal out of the reach of the lungeing keeper. Moments later, the Gators poured onto the field to celebrate the the thrilling Nor Cal championship victory at the top of the box.
SHP has now reached the Nor Cal finals in program history. The first came in 2022-23, in a 2-1 loss to Vintage-Napa.
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