by Kyle Szymanski Thepress.Net

Im proud of the girls, Gonzalez said. Theyre finally coming together and playing great. What more can I ask for?

Down 1-0 after Heritage junior Kylee Smith scored a goal in the eighth minute, the Falcons established themselves as the top team in the BVAL on three straight goals by seniors Bianca Corona, Selena Gonzalez and MacKenzie Tovani. Both teams came into the game 4-0-2 in league play; the Patriots hadnt lost since Dec. 29 against Livermore.

The game was bruising from the outset. Smith put the Patriots ahead on a goal that saw her collide with Freedom goalkeeper Tess Harrington.

After tying the game at one in the 21st minute on a goal in traffic by Corona, Freedom scored its next two on free kicks by Gonzalez in the 35th minute and Tovani in the 51st. Senior Viviana Diaz pulled Heritage within a goal on a free kick in the 79th minute, but the final whistle blew immediately thereafter.

The physical aspect of the game was a challenge for us, said Heritage head coach Randy James. I felt the good soccer was not in our favor tonight as far as the play. Physical soccer took over, and that was the difference for us, unfortunately.

Harrington tallied seven saves for Freedom, while senior Addison Orloff finished with four in defeat.

Heritage bounced back Tuesday night, defeating Antioch 3-0 on goals from Demi Gonis in the 23rd minute, Alyssa Rodriguez in the 27th and Jamie Baron in the 46th. Orloff made two saves in the victory. The loss dropped Antioch to 8-13; 1-6-2 in the BVAL.

Freedom still holds a one-game lead in the league standings following Tuesdays action. Although Freedom is destined to win a BVAL title for the second year in a row, both teams are expected to make the North Coast Section playoff when seeds are announced Feb. 10.

Freedom and Heritage finished off their seasons Thursday against Deer Valley and Liberty, but results were not available as of press time.

Continued here:

Freedom beats Heritage, commandeers first