Vacaville Girls Soccer Advances After Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win

VACAVILLE, CA – A stunning penalty shootout victory has propelled the Vacaville High School girls soccer team into the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals. The Bulldogs edged Whitney High School 7-6 in penalties on Monday, following a 1-1 draw that stretched through two grueling overtime periods.

The drama unfolded after Sofia Botine gave Vacaville a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute, her shot deflecting off a Whitney defender and into the net. Vacaville largely controlled the tempo and possession for much of the match, limiting Whitney’s opportunities. However, a late free kick from Whitney senior Nina Souto in the 75th minute leveled the score, sending the game into extra time.

Despite several promising chances in both overtime periods, Vacaville couldn’t find the decisive goal. A potential game-winner from senior Lilyanna Olmedo was called offside, a frustrating moment for the Bulldogs. Earlier, Olmedo had struck the post, and a corner kick from Samantha Mac Niven narrowly missed finding the back of the net.

The penalty shootout proved to be a nerve-wracking affair. Vacaville goalkeeper Reese Fisher set the tone with an early save against Whitney’s Addyson Webb, keeping the score tied at 6-6. That stop paved the way for junior defender Makayla Adams to step up and deliver the winning kick.

Adams, who had scored only one goal all season, calmly drilled her penalty into the top right corner, securing the victory. “It was so stressful,” Adams admitted. “I didn’t even know I was gonna do it until a couple of minutes before.” Her composure under pressure was remarkable, as she described analyzing Whitney’s goalkeeper and choosing her spot. “I noticed that she wasn’t as good on her left side,” Adams said. “I decided to look at the left side, then hit to the right.”

The win was made even sweeter by a fortunate turn of events. Earlier in the day, No. 9 Rio Americano upset top-seeded Tracy, meaning Vacaville will now host the Raiders in the semifinals on Wednesday. Vacaville had previously defeated Rio Americano 3-1 on December 12th, a result that prompted head coach Jen Eggley to jokingly cancel the team’s bus reservation for a potential road game. “I’ve already canceled the bus,” Eggley said. “We’ve faced Rio in a tournament, so it’ll be a good one.”

The Bulldogs’ success is built on a strong defensive foundation, led by senior defenders Emma and Kallie Stacey. Eggley praised their consistent performance, stating, “That’s how Emma and Kallie are. They are locked in every game and they play from whistle to whistle. Nothing stops them.” Their ability to shut down Whitney’s attack in extra time was crucial, effectively forcing the Wildcats to play for penalties.

Fisher’s performance in goal was also pivotal. Her save in the shootout, combined with her overall composure, provided a significant boost to the team. “I saw her eyes go that way and her body positioning go that way, so my best guess was she was going that way,” Fisher explained, describing her read on Webb’s shot. As a senior, she felt the weight of responsibility to deliver. “I’m a senior now and I didn’t want to go home, so I was feeling the pressure to put it on.”

Eggley emphasized the team’s unity and resilience as key factors in their victory. “They kept fighting for each other and they put their teammates first,” she said. “They’ve got a really good bond.” That bond was evident in the celebratory dogpile that erupted after Adams’ winning kick.

Vacaville’s win extends their impressive winning streak to 13 games, building on a season record of 16-0-2, as of a recent recap on February 16th. The Bulldogs will look to continue their remarkable run as they prepare to face Rio Americano in the semifinals, aiming for a spot in the championship game.