Helped by a trio of Madera athletes, the California Ocyssey under-19 women’s soccer team advanced to the Nor-Cal State Cup Championship match.
Odyssey defeated Tahuichi FC of Santa Rosa, 1-0, at Mary Grogan Park in Modesto to head to the title match. Brooke Gill (Madera) assisted on the lone score while Coyote teammate Itzel Rodriguez played siginificant minutes up front. Madera South’s Gabriela Jaimes helped the defense pitch the shutout.
“I have had the pleasure to work with these young ladies for a couple of years now and it has been a pleasure to witness their growth,” head coach Terry Stewart said. “All three possess great individual abilities — Itzel with her incredible one-on-one play, Brooke with her tireless work rate and offensive ability and Gaby with her outstanding defending. However, the greatest attribute that these young ladies possess is an amazing attitude. Regardless of the situation, they give you everything they have, always and they truly have a love for the game. I am so proud of Brooke, Gaby and Itzel and I cannot wait to see how State Cup unfolds and to see how Gaby and Brooke develop as they venture into the collegiate game upon graduation, and Itzel in her final year of comp soccer and high school.”
The championship match will be against Santa Cruz Jaws on June 3 at Consumnes River College in Sacramento.