SRVHS Girls' Soccer Team Falls in NCS Final

The medals felt unfamiliar as they were draped on the necks of the San Ramon Valley girls' soccer players Saturday night.

These adornments were silver. The Wolves are used to wearing gold.

But the three-time defending champions relinquished their North Coast Section title in a 2-1 loss to Castro Valley, leaving themselves to watch as their opponents danced and laughed with the trophy that had long belonged to the Wolves.

"It's not exactly what I was hoping for," said Danville's San Ramon Valley High senior Ashley Edwards. "But I've won three championships. Most people never even get one."

For Castro Valley, the win capped off an undefeated and record-setting season, as it became the first team in the NCS to win 25 games, finishing 25-0-2. Ranked as the fifth-best team in the country by ESPNRise.com, the Trojans were motivated not only by the shot to win a title, but by the chance to be one of the best teams in the history of the region.

"They wanted to be special," Castro Valley coach Paul McCallion said of his players. "They wanted so badly to do something that had never been done."

In the first half, the Trojans' ambitions appeared to be in jeopardy, as San Ramon Valley (18-4-4), dominated possession and earned the game's first goal. With eight minutes remaining in the half, Castro Valley was called for a hand-ball in the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Edwards thumped the ball toward the right corner of the goal, past a diving Kristina Utley and into the back of the net.

"I was nervous going into it," said Edwards. "But I just aimed for the spot I always aim for. It worked."

The Wolves took the lead into halftime, but shortly after the second half kicked off, Washington State recruit Micaela Castain tied the game on a rocket that sailed from 25 yards, just underneath the crossbar and into the goal. Twelve minutes later Eileen Maes, another future Cougar, gave the Trojans the lead on a low, bending free kick, that wound its way past the defenders and into the net.

"They were exceptional goals," said San Ramon Valley coach Mark Jones. "There's not much you can do against shots like that."

Though disappointed in the loss, Jones found reasons for pride.

"We fought," he said. "The effort was there. We just didn't convert a couple of chances that we had. But we had a lot to be proud of."