Christina Burkenroad’s goal off an assist from teammate Hannah Cavanaugh late in the second half lifted the Mission Bay High School (MBHS) Buccaneers varsity girls’ soccer team to a 1-0 victory over La Jolla High in the quarterfinal round of the Div. III CIF playoffs on Feb. 25. The win propelled the No. 3-seeded team into the semifinal round of CIF postseason play on Wednesday, Feb. 29 against No. 2-seeded Del Norte. The Buccaneers did not play in the first round of playoffs after earning a bye week following an undefeated regular season (18-0-4, 7-0-1) and clinching the Harbor League title. MBHS girls’ head soccer coach Jorge Palacios, who is now in his 10th season, believes teamwork and camaraderie are two of the keys to the Bucs’ stellar season so far. “We had a lot of things come together for us this year and a great group of seniors who were coming off a good season from last year,” Palacios said. “We also had other players step it up for us and perform well under pressure. Overall, this year almost everything has gone right, but we still have to focus on the playoffs.” The Bucs have been dominant on offense and led by a pair of senior forwards — Christina Burkenroad and Danielle Jones. Burkenroad scored 29 goals and had 18 assists for a total of 76 offensive points, while Jones put up 12 goals and 11 assists for a total of 35 points. “She [Burkenroad] has had a great year and rebounded after a tough year for her last season,” Palacios said. Senior midfielders Kelsey Boulger and Lauren Boulger also have contributed to the scoring. Lauren Boulger had eight goals and five assists for 21 points, while Kelsey Boulger has logged five goals and four assists for14 points. Junior midfielder Hannah Cavanaugh also contributed with three goals and six assists for 12 points. Mission Bay High was just as dominant on defense, with senior goalkeeper Maile Saili stopping 66 shots and has allowed only 11 goals during 1,610 minutes played. “Our defense has stepped it up,” said Palacios. “We were playing a brand-new defense this year and it was good to have Saili’s senior leadership from the goalkeeper position.” Overall, the Buccaneers scored 66 total goals and allowed only 11 goals through 22 regular-season games. Saili posted her 15th shutout of the season against La Jolla on Feb. 25, played 80 minutes and made four saves. The No. 3-seeded Buccaneers were expected to be on the road Wednesday, Feb. 29 against No. 2 seed Del Norte in the Div. III CIF semiinals round.
