Arrowhead Christian Cassidi Calzaretta #8 and Notre Dame midfielder Brooke Gonzalez #99 fight for the header during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian midfielder Addison Cummings #12 heads the ball against Notre Dame during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Notre Dame midfielder Brooke Gonzalez #99 and Arrowhead Christian defender Taylor Distleberg #13 battle for the ball during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Brooke Gonzalez #99 takes the header against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame defender Clarissa Gallegos #44 fights for the ball with Arrowhead Christian Cassidi Calzaretta #8 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Joczlyne Hernandez #16 and Arrowhead Christian defender Taylor Distleberg #13 battle for the ball during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Maria Murrieta #11 moves the ball against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Joczlyne Hernandez #16 is defended by Arrowhead Christian defender Taylor Distleberg #13, left and Arrowhead Christian midfielder Juliann Lackey #10 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame goalkeeper Joanna Chavez #17 makes he punch save on a goal shot by Arrowhead Christian Cassidi Calzaretta #8 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian Cassidi Calzaretta #8 keeps the ball from a Notre Dame player during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Joczlyne Hernandez #16 his held by Arrowhead Christian Taryn Clark #5 in front of Notre Dame midfielder Zoe Alvarez #8 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Bailee Ulloa #10 kicks the ball past Arrowhead Christian defender Hope Macias #9 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian goalkeeper Carli Calzaretta #18 makes the sliding save in front of Notre Dame Jocelyn Clark #20 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Maria Murrieta #11 battles with Arrowhead Christian defender Taylor Distleberg #13 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame defender Clarissa Gallegos #44 loses her glasses as she takes the header in front of Arrowhead Christian midfielder Kara Sauls #19 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame Maria Murrieta #11 moves the ball against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 hits the field after colliding with Arrowhead Christian midfielder Dallas Otterman #16 and Arrowhead Christian Taryn Clark #5 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian Taryn Clark #5 and Notre Dame forward Amanda Wallace #22 battle for the ball during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Arrowhead Christian midfielder Addison Cummings #12 fights for control of the ball against Notre Dame defender Clarissa Gallegos #44 during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime as Arrowhead Christian midfielder Juliann Lackey #10 reacts during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime as Arrowhead Christian midfielder Juliann Lackey #10 reacts during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime as Arrowhead Christian midfielder Juliann Lackey #10 reacts during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13, center, celebrates after kicking the winning goal in overtime against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Notre Dame head coach Hugo Martinez, left celebraets with players after Notre Dame midfielder Madeline Wolesky #13 kicked the winning goal in overtime against Arrowhead Christian during the CIF State Division 5 girls soccer regional playoffs in Redlands on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
REDLANDS >> Maria Murrieta seemed destined to score a goal on her birthday. In the end, however, Murrieta ended up being the one to hand out a present.
Murrieta sent a cross into the box during the 11th minute of overtime, and Madeline Wolesky chipped the ball over the goalie’s head and into the net to lift Notre Dame to a 1-0 victory over Arrowhead Christian on Tuesday in the first round of the CIF State Division V girls soccer regional playoffs.
Murrieta, a 5-foot 1 forward, was the most active player during the match, using her phenomenal speed and dribbling skills to create scoring chances. She channeled her inner Diego Maradona during the 58th minute by making a blazing run from the center line and around Arrowhead Christian’s defense. Murrieta teed up a shot from the top of the box but it clanged the crossbar.
Murrieta almost delivered a golden-goal winner in overtime. Jocelyn Clark found open space, but Arrowhead Christian goalie Carli Calzaretta charged forward and made a sprawling save on Clark’s shot. The rebound fell onto the right foot of Murrieta, but her shot sailed over the bar.
Nine minutes later, Murrieta gained possession out on the right flank and saw two of her teammates in the box. Murrieta decided to send the ball in.
“I just trusted my teammates. I knew one would get to it,” Murrieta said.
Wolesky calmly chipped the ball into the net, just her second career goal.
“I saw the ball coming and just knew I had to get to it,” Wolesky said.
Added Titans coach Hugo Martinez: “We have been working on that play a lot during practice. She usually misses, but it was exciting to see everything come together today. It’s a really great moment for her and for this team.”
Arrowhead Christian (17-6-1) had the bulk of scoring opportunities during the opening half, including three shots on goal by striker Cassidi Calzaretta. Notre Dame keeper Joczlyne Hernandez made a diving save in the 25th minute.Calzaretta came close to breaking a scoreless deadlock in the 65th minute, but her bouncing shot from about 35 yards careened off the left post.
Wolesky’s goal ensured Notre Dame (19-3-6) avoided a bitter ending for the second consecutive match. The Titans lost to Desert Mirage in overtime of the CIF Southern Section Division 7 title match on a disputed penalty kick. Tuesday afternoon, Clark appeared to be pulled down inside the box during the 89th minute, but the referee did not award the Titans a penalty kick.
Notre Dame will visit Thermal again Thursday for a rematch with Desert Mirage (21-3-4).
“I thought we were the better team Saturday and got a pretty bad break,” Martinez said. “We are looking forward to getting another opportunity.”