CORONA — Siena Salazar’s early goal gave Roosevelt’s women’s soccer team the confidence it needed to make history.
Roosevelt’s America Chavez and Santiago’s Gracie Kelly are eyeing a header in a Women’s Big VIII soccer match in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Santiago’s Torrie Delgado clears a ball pressured by Roosevelt’s America Chavez during a women’s soccer match in the Big VIII League in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Roosevelt’s Sofia Leoro reaches for the ball in front of Santiago’s Julia Becerra during the Women’s Big VIII League soccer match in Corona, Thursday, January 26, 2023. (Photo by Mirka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
The Roosevelt players as they beat Santiago 3-1 in a Big VIII League women’s soccer game in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Santiago’s Gracie Kelly and Roosevelt’s Sienna Salazar will battle for possession in a Women’s Big VIII soccer game in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Roosevelt’s Jada Preston, Sienna Salazar and Morgan Bellamy celebrate with teammates after defeating Santiago 3-1 in the Women’s Big VIII soccer game in Corona on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Sami Ruiz of Santiago clears the ball against Alexandra Arredondo of Roosevelt during the Big VIII League women’s football match in Corona on Thursday 26 January 2023.
Roosevelt’s Morgan Bellamy and Santiago’s Faith Potts battle for the ball in a women’s soccer match in the Big VIII League in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Santiago’s Gracie Kelly and Roosevelt’s Sienna Salazar battle for the ball in a women’s Big VIII soccer match in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Roosevelt’s Morgan Bellamy, Ireland Churchill, Juliette Gomez and Siena Salazar scored Churchill’s second goal against Santiago in a Women’s Big VIII soccer match in Corona on Thursday 26 January 2023. Celebrate your decision.
Roosevelt’s Mia Getsche (#20) heads the ball during the Women’s Big VIII League soccer match against Santiago on Thursday, January 26, 2023. (Photo by Mirka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Roosevelt’s Juliette Gomez puts pressure on Santiago’s Catrina Marsh as she dribbles during the Women’s Big VIII League soccer game in Corona, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Santiago’s Torrie Delgado clears a ball pressured by Roosevelt’s America Chavez during a women’s soccer match in the Big VIII League in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Roosevelt’s Delilah Woods took control of the ball followed by Santiago’s Briana Garcia in a women’s soccer match of the Big VIII League in Corona on Thursday 26 January 2023.
Roosevelt’s Mia Getsche dribbles the ball in front of Santiago’s Julia Becerra during the Women’s Big VIII League soccer match in Corona on Thursday, January 26, 2023. (Photo by Mirka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Santiago’s Mia Hunt dribbles a ball under pressure by Roosevelt’s Mia Getsche during the Women’s Big VIII League soccer match in Corona, Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Roosevelt’s Ireland Churchill, Morgan Bellamy and Sienna Salazar after scoring their first goal of the night against Santiago in the Women’s Big VIII soccer game at Corona on Thursday 26 January 2023. , celebrating.
Salazar scored in the third minute, the first of three goals Roosevelt scored in the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over Santiago in Thursday night’s Big VIII league game.
“I just shot it and hoped it would be the best and it worked,” Salazar said. “I think it gave us a really big boost and led us to victory.”
Ireland’s Churchill and Morgan Bellamy also scored as Roosevelt (15-4-3 overall; 6-1-1 in the league) defeated Santiago for the first time in 34 attempts since 2007.
“I feel like we should have done it sooner, but this is definitely something we’ve been working on for a long time,” said Roosevelt coach Andrew Tilleku, now in his eighth season. , I think I’m the most excited I’ve been in eight years.”
Roosevelt led by two points in the first 10 minutes and completely dominated the opening 40 minutes, beating Santiago 7-0 in the first half.
Salazar took advantage of a bad pass from Santiago goalkeeper Taylor Clarke to drive the ball into the net to make it 1-0 before either team had much chance of settling into the game.
Freshman Churchill set a new program record with his 25th goal of the season just three minutes later with a pinpoint cross from Juliette Gomez.
“We are making school history and breaking a lot of records, so I am really happy,” Salazar said.
Santiago (17-1-1-7-1), the #1 team in the United Soccer Coaches Winter National Ranking, could not have been shut out without an Ashlyn Jones goal in the final five minutes.
“They never beat us, so at some point we have to give them something,” said Santiago coach Mike Fleming. “It’s a good win for them.”
Clark, who had four shutouts in his last six appearances, finished with six saves.
It will be the first loss for Santiago since the Sharks ended last season losing both the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship Match to Temecula Valley and the CIF State Division I Regional Quarterfinals to San Diego Point Loma.
For Roosevelt, the win extended the Mustangs’ winning streak to five, with just two regular-season games left next week.
Tillehkooh’s side have now scored 20 goals in their last five games. The Mustangs have won 11-3 in their last three encounters with Santiago.
“We were creating chances and finishing them today,” said Tillehkooh.
Roosevelt had nine shots on goal. The Mustangs are now 1-27-6 vs Santiago.
