Vacaville High Girls Soccer Reaches Sac-Joaquin Section DII Championship

Vacaville Girls Soccer Reaches Section Championship After Dramatic Postseason Run

The Vacaville High School girls soccer team is one win away from a Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship, securing their spot in the final with a decisive 2-0 victory over Rio Americano on Wednesday. The Bulldogs’ journey to the championship game has been marked by resilience, culminating in a considerably less stressful outing following a nail-biting quarterfinal performance that required a penalty shootout.

Vacaville, the No. 4 seed in the division, will face No. 2 Rocklin at Cosumnes River College on Saturday at 1 p.m. This marks a significant step forward for the program, having previously fallen short in the semifinals in 2024 and the quarterfinals in 2025.

Junior striker Sophia Franzoni led the charge against Rio Americano, scoring both goals for Vacaville. Franzoni’s performance underscores her importance to the Bulldogs’ attack, and she spoke to the team’s collective effort throughout the season. “It felt really nice that we were just able to move the ball because they weren’t pressing us, so we just kept it, let them get tired, and just worked around it,” Franzoni said.

The Bulldogs established control early in the match, creating several scoring opportunities in the opening minutes. Sophomore midfielder Sofia Botine fired a shot just over the crossbar in the third minute, and junior midfielder Elena Vera narrowly missed wide in the 17th. Vacaville continued to press, with junior midfielder Sophia Brenes and Lilyanna Olmedo also testing the Rio Americano defense. The team’s ability to maintain possession and create chances in the first half set the tone for the game.

Franzoni broke the deadlock early in the second half, scoring in the 3rd minute. She added her second goal just three minutes later, extending Vacaville’s lead. The Bulldogs nearly made it 3-0 shortly after, but Vera’s shot hit the right post.

While Rio Americano gained more possession as the game progressed, Vacaville’s defense, anchored by senior goalkeeper Reese Fisher, remained steadfast. Fisher made crucial saves in the 67th and 69th minutes to preserve the clean sheet. Fisher, a four-year varsity player, emphasized the team’s defensive solidity. “It’s always a personal goal for me to have a shut out, but praised her team’s defense for helping her keep the ball out of their net,” she said. “We’ve never gotten it past semis, so being in the finals as a Senior is like, really cool. It’s been amazing, this whole journey leading up to this. The girls are great.”

Vacaville’s path to the final wasn’t without drama. They previously edged past Whitney High School in the quarterfinals, winning 7-6 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. That hard-fought victory served as a valuable lesson, according to head coach Jen Eggley. “We learned on Monday, right, don’t let that one happen,” Eggley said, referencing the stress of the shootout. “Then we had to extend out game and go into penalties, so we definitely did not want to do that tonight.”

Eggley praised her team’s focused performance against Rio Americano, noting that they executed the game plan effectively. “It went according to plan,” she said. “We stayed focused, we got our nerves out, I think as the game progressed to where they were building themselves up to play their game.” She also highlighted the importance of maintaining pressure throughout the second half, despite having a lead.

The coach expressed immense pride in her squad and the strong bond they’ve developed. “They are an amazing group of young ladies, and they have built a very strong bond with each other and me,” Eggley said. “I’m attached, I’m a fan.”

Vacaville enters the championship game riding a 14-game winning streak and having secured their third playoff victory of the season. Their impressive 17-1-2 overall record and perfect 10-0 run through the Monticello Empire League demonstrate their dominance this season. Franzoni leads the team in scoring with 21 goals and 16 assists, while Samantha Mac Niven has contributed 16 goals and 12 assists. Peyton Troxil (13 goals) and Lilyanna Olmedo (10 assists) also provide significant offensive firepower. The Bulldogs’ success is built on a strong foundation of offensive talent and a resilient defense, led by Fisher’s 11 shutouts and 50 saves.

Saturday’s championship match against Rocklin promises to be a challenging contest, but Vacaville appears well-prepared to make a strong push for the title. The Bulldogs are aiming to complete their remarkable postseason run and bring home the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship.