EASTVALE — For two teams that have been scoring in bunches lately, one goal was enough Wednesday night.
Roosevelt forward Mia Goettsche #20 takes the header over Santiago midfielder Katrina Marsh #12 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt forward Ireland Churchill #14 stops the ball against Santiago in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt defender Isabelle Salazar #22 fights for the header against Santiago defender Kinsley Whitecavage #22 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt forward Mia Goettsche #20 takes the header over Santiago midfielder Samantha Ruiz #19 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt forward Ireland Churchill #14 is unable to head the ball into the net as Santiago midfielder Dani Bard #14 and Santiago goalkeeper Abigail Turley #00 defend the net in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defender Abbie Kelly #47 is taken down by Roosevelt midfielder Juliette Gomez #17 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Krystal Medina #10 moves the ball away from Roosevelt midfielder Juliette Gomez #17 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Krystal Medina #10 battles for he ball with Roosevelt defender Isabelle Salazar #22 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago forward Ashlyn Jones #13 fights for the ball against Roosevelt defender Jada Preston #15 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt forward Ireland Churchill #14 is taken down by Santiago midfielder Katrina Marsh #12 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago forward Ashlyn Jones #13 misses an open net goal against Roosevelt in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defender Kinsley Whitecavage #22 fights for the header as Roosevelt goalkeeper Giulianna Vargas #1 makes the push save in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago forward Ashlyn Jones #13 fights for the header against Roosevelt in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Brianna Garcia #4, second from right celebrates her goal with a hug with forward Bri Norman #25 against Roosevelt in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Katrina Marsh #12heads the ball in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt midfielder Sophia Leoro #21 collects the pass against Santiago in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago defender Torie Delgado #7 takes the header against Roosevelt in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt defender Sophia Ales #26 and Santiago forward Maddy Saruwatari #17 fight for the header in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt midfielder Juliette Gomez #17 collided with Santiago defender Abbie Kelly #47 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt forward Ireland Churchill #14 looks for the header against Santiago in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt defender Delilah Woods #7 tries to block a Santiago pass in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Krystal Medina #10 battles for he ball with Roosevelt midfielder Sophia Leoro #21 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Head official gives a yellow card to Santiago forward Bri Norman #25 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt midfielder Juliette Gomez #17 is tripped up by Santiago midfielder Krystal Medina #10 in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago midfielder Brianna Garcia #4 celebrate her goal in the arms of teammate Santiago forward Ashlyn Jones #13 with Roosevelt goalkeeper Reylena Wilson #0 in the background in a Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt goalkeeper Reylena Wilson #0 shares a laugh with Roosevelt defender Delilah Woods #7 during the national anthem standing with officials before the Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Santiago forward Maddy Saruwatari #17 does a cart will after defeating Roosevelt 1-0 in the Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt head coach Andrew Tillehkooh, right and Santiago head coach Mike Fleming talk after the Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Roosevelt player collects the corner makers after Santiago defeated Roosevelt 1-0 to win the Big VIII League girls soccer match in Eastvale on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Senior midfielder Brianna Garcia pounced on a rebound late in the first half, as the Santiago girls soccer team staked its claim on another Big VIII League title with a 1-0 victory at Roosevelt.
“We told the girls, ‘Match the energy, control the space and let’s not get out of what we do in terms of what makes us successful,” Santiago coach Mike Fleming said.
Junior goalkeeper Abigail Turnley made two saves to earn her fifth consecutive shutout as Santiago (15-2-2 overall, 7-0-0 Big VIII) moved within one victory of a fifth consecutive league championship.
“We just stick to our principles and keep our composure because Roosevelt is one of those teams that can counter you in a hurry,” Fleming said.
Sophomore midfielder Ireland Churchill (18 goals this season) was held to a single shot on target for Roosevelt (15-4-1, 5-2-0), which had its four-match winning streak snapped.
“She been one of our focal points and when she’s been on it’s been great,” Roosevelt coach Andrew Tillehkooh said.
Coming off a 4-1 win over King in its last match, Roosevelt played with confidence and created a pair of scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes. Churchill produced the Mustangs’ best chance in the 16th minute with a well-struck shot on target that Turnley pushed into the air before making the catch.
“I think the desire was there for us but the execution was a bit off,” Tillehkooh said. “That’s probably a little bit of us, but also give credit to them (the Sharks).”
Santiago senior midfielder Krystal Medina started to see more of the ball and the tempo changed quickly.
Medina and senior forward Bri Norman took shots – with Norman hitting the frame of the goal – before a foul just outside the corner of the penalty area created a set piece opportunity from a free kick.
Sophomore defender Abbie Kelly lofted the ball to the back post where it was headed down into the mixer in front of Roosevelt senior goalkeeper Reylena Wilson. After bouncing around for a moment, Garcia got her foot through the ball just well enough to send it into the back of the net.
“We’re finding ways to manage pressure, manage expectations, play freely and play one game at a time,” Fleming said. “A big part of that is all the seniors and all the experience we have.”
It was the 28th goal in league play this season for Santiago, which has 17 seniors on its roster this season.
The Sharks, ranked 10th nationally MaxPreps.com, are undefeated in 2024 and unbeaten across their last eight matches.
