The girls varsity soccer played for a CIF Division III finals on Feb. 23. The Eagles finished 3rd in the Coastal Canyon League with a record of 14 wins, 6 ties and 2 losses. 

However, the Eagles did not give up and kept pushing. They were able to move forward and into the CIF finals against Apple Valley. 

The game was tied 0-0 at halftime. Unfortunately, five minutes into the second quarter, Apple Valley hit the ball into the top right corner of the box scoring the first goal for Apple Valley, making the score 1-0.

Around 15 minutes into the game, Macie Baird scored from half field, making the crowd erupt. This goal tied up the game, making the score 1-1.

Apple Valley received a corner kick in the last 15 seconds of the game and scored. The final score was 2-1.

The game was said to be very controversial. Baird had a calf cramp and had to be taken out. Head coach Katherine Klamecki subbed Meika Linville into Macie’s position.

In the last minutes of the game Klamecki called to sub Baird back into the game after she recovered from her injury. Before getting the opportunity to sub in, the opposing team began the play. 

Freshman Bailey Droll, from the JV soccer team shared what she saw while watching the game. 

“The other team started the play and kicked the ball on the corner. The referee said the goal counted, and our team got extremely aggravated,” Droll said. 

Many believed this goal should not have counted because the Eagles were not ready, but the opposing team began the play regardless. Additionally, the coaches said they were trying to sub Baird back in. They said it was unfair because they wanted to sub, but the referees did not hear them. 

Although Oak Park did not take the win this time, the girls were able to move onto state semifinals. Unfortunately, they were beaten by Apple Valley again on Oak Park’s home field. The score was 2-2. The game was moved into a penalty kick shootout, where Apple Valley took the win.