In a match-up of ESPN FAB 50 nationally ranked East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) teams, #36 Carondelet High fell to #26 Monte Vista High, 3-1, Wednesday night in NCS Division I girls soccer semifinal action.
The Cougars Molly Kuptz provided Carondelet with the lead in the 18th minute after taking a pass from teammate Meggi Fisher.
The Cougars held this lead until the 55th minute when Monte Vista's Alex Weltz scored in a scramble in front of the net.
A minute later, the Mustangs Hailey Balma scored again on a shot from the right side to take a 2-1 lead.
Refusing to give up, the Cougars battled back to get two more good scoring chances, but the Mustangs goalkeeper, Hannah Clark, was up to the challenge, making five saves in the second half.
The Mustangs Maddie Gibson scored the final goal of the night in the 80th minute after a deflection from Cougars goalkeeper Dorsa Ansari (seven saves) and a free kick by Ashlynn Goerz.
The Cougars finish the season with a 13–4–6 record.
With the win, the #2 seeded 15–1–8 Mustangs will face #1 seed 18–1–5 San Ramon Valley High, who advanced to the final after a 2-2 tie with #4 seed California High (14–4–6).
The “All EBAL” final will be played at Dublin High School on Saturday at 5 p.m. It will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by the “All EBAL” boys final between #1 seed De La Salle High (21–3-2) and #6 seed San Ramon Valley (17–6–4).
