MALDONADO GOAL GIVES SPARTANS PLAYOFF WIN, ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND

In a season with 16 new players, somehow the MiraCosta College women's soccer team continues to find a way to be a top team in California.  After a second place finish in the PCAC conference standings the Spartans earned the #10 seed in the 3C2A state playoffs. 

On Wednesday MiraCosta took the field and controlled the game for 90 minutes. While the score was locked at 0-0 for 81 minutes, the Spartans had a variety of chances to score and maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the game. Then, in the 82 minute, Amslee Mikichi found Shelby Maldonado for the lone goal of the game.  Maldonado, one of the few sophomores on the roster, made the play to help her team survive and advance. 

In the second round the Spartans will travel to Santa Barbara City College to play on Saturday at 2pm.  

MiraCosta's play on Wednesday was top notch. The defensive line was stellar as alwyas, earning one of their 11 clean sheets. Mylie Tinoisamoa, Brooklyn Fritz, Martina Ertz and Aaliyah Arce with goalkeeper Monica Martinez gave the fans a strong defensive showing.  Bridget Marino, Adile Oceguera, Amslee Mikichi and Hailey Benito controlled the middle of the field and creating chances that led up to and followed the Maldonado goal.  Kristal Hernandez played multiple positions, filling in anywhere that team needed her to play, making her mark on the game with her speed and effort.  

Coming off the bench, Gabriela Martinez and Diana Rodriguez played critical minutes making sure that they level never dropped in the competitive first round playoff game.

With the win MiraCosta improves to 13-4-6.  For a full bracket of the 3C2A state playoff, click here https://3c2asports.org/sports/wsoc/2025-26/files/WSC_SoCal.pdf.