Championship teams are often made with hard work, determination and a little bit of luck thrown in along the way.
The Bishop’s School girls soccer team mostly relied on the first two traits as it captured the school’s first Southern California Regional Division III championship last weekend. In scoring a 2-0 win over top-seeded Westlake Village Oaks Christian (24-4-2), the Lady Knights are now in the record books.
It was Kaylie Davidson scoring a pair of goals off throw-ins from Laurel Casey that propelled Bishop’s (19-4-1) to the crown. Bishop’s had reached the regional championships despite dropping a 1-0 decision to rival Coronado in the CIF San Diego Section final.
Freshman Dana Christianson recorded six saves for the Lady Knights’ third shutout in the regional. Bishop’s had registered wins over San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s (5-0) and Central Valley Christian (2-0) to reach the final.
“The final game of the season was a testament to the kids’ ability and also their resolve after losing a close game to Coronado in the San Diego section of CIF,” Bishop’s head coach Brian Quinn said. “They approached the regional playoffs with a sense of ‘we will only be beaten by a better team.’ There was no better team in the Division III playoffs.”
From the coaching side, Quinn said he and his JV coach had identified 21 girls at the start of the season who were capable of playing varsity but it would have been very difficult to have them all play on a regular basis. Therefore, they had five of them play JV and then brought them up for the playoffs.
“Due to some kids traveling over spring break, every one of the kids that moved up made a significant contribution,” Quinn noted. “Elyse Tierney had to fill in for four-year starter Bree Geary and played very, very well in all three playoff games. Jessica Farley came in for Francis Harvey and scored goals and created chances in every game. Dana Christianson, who is also a freshman and backup goalkeeper, was used both on the field and in the goal during the playoff run.”
Quinn said it was important to also mention the seniors who set the tone for the season and wanted to go out on a winning note.
“Annie Kadota, Laurel Casey and Ashley Dominguez have been three of the most consistent players on the team over the three years I have been at Bishop’s,” Quinn remarked. “I was thrilled that they ended up their soccer careers at the school as the first group of kids to be crowned State Regional champions.
“On the playing side, Kaylie Davidson and Lindsey Holman-Kelley were the catalysts for the wins, and if there were an All-State team based on the playoffs, both of these girls would have been on the first team.”
Quinn added that winning the state playoffs establishes the school as among the top five of all high school programs in the county.
“With a good core of young players on the team, I am already looking forward to next year,” he added.