Paloma Valley Loses State Playoff Game in Shootout

Kaitlyn Johnson (6) of Paloma Valley battles a Santiago opponent for the ball in Tuesday's state playoff game. (Photos courtesy of George Rodriguez)

The Paloma Valley High School girls soccer team battled Santiago High of Corona through a scoreless regulation play and overtime before losing a close battle 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout Tuesday in the first round of the CIF state playoffs.

The Wildcats made a gutsy performance in battling back just three days after losing in overtime to Temescal Canyon in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 final. Paloma Valley goalkeeper Christina Rodriguez (left) made several key saves against relentless pressure by Santiago forwards to keep the game scoreless into the extra periods.

"We played the top seed in our division, Santiago, who is a great team," Paloma Valley coach Marie Dillon said. "We just battled and fought, like we did all year long, and we were able to challenge them.

"Coming off Saturday's CIF loss, I really feel this is what the team needed and it gives us a better feeling to an end of an amazing year with this team."