Cate’s Fernanda Pett clears a ball from Arroyo’s pressure
Cate’s late-season surge came to an end in Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to visiting Arroyo in a second-round Division-7 CIF playoff game.
The Rams started their season winless through nine games before coming around to finish second in the Condor League and win a first-round playoff game.
Arroyo (15-3-4) won the Mission Valley League this season and is the No. 4 overall seed.
The Knights, who dominated possession and number of scoring chances, first broke through in the 39th minute. The score just before halftime was a boost for Arroyo.
“It eased up the pressure a bit,” said head coach Jessica Chavez. “The girls just stayed on it, played well, played strong, didn’t get too frustrated, and things started to open up for us.”
Arroyo scored two more soon after halftime.
Five Cate seniors played in their final high school game, including four-year varsity players Sydney Read and Mabel Sabina. Goalkeeper Eliza Giles, Yansy Salmeron and Caitlin Cain will also graduate.
“We just kept working,” said Cate head coach Lisa Holmes of her team’s strong second half of the season. “Focused more on a defensive strategy and then we started winning. We had a great win last week so I’m pleased of the way we finished.”
Cate goalkeeper Eliza Giles keeps an eye on Arroyo’s
