Paloma's most successful season yet ends in playoff loss

Paloma Valley's Chloe Price puts everything she's got into a shot in Tuesday's playoff game against Buena Park. Photo by Dylan Gray

For a team that finished undefeated in winning the league championship, Paloma Valley seemed to deserve a better fate when the CIF playoff pairings were announced. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the CIF office did the Wildcats no favors -- and neither did the Buena Park Coyotes.

Rawzan Castellon scored five goals to lead Buena Park to a 9-2 win over the host Wildcats in Tuesday's Division 6 playoff opener, improving the winner's overall record to 21-7. Paloma Valley, which finished the season 16-8 overall, trailed almost the entire game against a team that is ranked No. 1 in the division.

How can that be, you ask? Didn't Paloma Valley come in as a league champion and Buena Park as the No. 4 team from the Freeway League? True, but the fact is, the three higher finishers in that league all play in a higher division. Thus, in the new CIF Southern Section alignment of leagues and divisions, the only reward the Wildcats got for winning their league was the home game.

The Wildcats, who were incorrectly reported as the division's top seed here earlier, can nonetheless take pride in the most successful season in the program's five-year history.

"We got a tough draw, which we kind of knew," coach Joe Ellett said. "That's a really good team. We tried to adjust some things to counter the things they do, and honestly I thought we did a really good job. It just wasn't the outcome we wanted.

"Overall, the girls had an amazing season. To see the girls come from last year to where they are now, that they were able to take the league, is awesome."

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first when Chloe Price punched a loose ball into the net. Paloma had several good looks at the goal early but were shut down by Buena Park goalie Vanesa Navarrete. Meanwhile, the Coyotes offense scored four times in the first quarter and never looked back.

Paloma Valley's defense, led by goalie Megan Freeman, allowed the opposition just single goals in the second and fourth quarters but three in the third, and the Wildcat offense couldn't get back into the game. The Wildcats' last goal came on a blast by Sarah Freeman.

Ellett gave a lot of credit to his players and to assistant coach Lisa Sharp, who also is the head coach of the boys water polo team. A former member of the U.S. women's national team, she has a great rapport with the players and provides important instruction, Ellett said.

"Lisa ... the kids are just drawn to her," Ellett said. "She does a great job teaching the sport, and the positive vibes she gives off are infectious."

Ellett and Sharp kept the players together for several minutes after the game. What did the coaches say to them?

"Mostly, we talked about the season and how proud we are of them," Ellett said. "The camaraderie of the team is phenomenal. It's been a fun season."

For video highlights of the game, watch today's Good Morning Menifee broadcast on the Menifee 24/7 Facebook page.

Sarah Freeman rises up to fire off a shot for Paloma Valley late in the game. Photo by Dylan Gray

Kenzy Handal looks for an opportunity to pass to a teammate in Tuesday's playoff game. Photo by Dylan Gray

Alexis Bryan keeps the ball away from a defender while looking to pass. Photo by Dylan Gray