UPDATE: St. Francis High School decisively defeated St. Ignatius **2-0** in a crucial West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) match on Wednesday night in **Mountain View**, solidifying their grip on the league title. The Lancers showcased their dominance with two quick goals, leaving St. Ignatius struggling to respond.
In a match that saw **St. Francis** (15-0-1, 9-0-1) take immediate control, **Maya Meltz** opened the scoring just **nine minutes** in, finishing a precise cross from **Kendall Koury** with a stunning volley. Just **two minutes later**, the Lancers doubled their lead when **Mireille Del Santo** capitalized on a chaotic corner kick, chipping the ball into the net amidst a scramble.
The swift offensive display and a rock-solid defense, which allowed only one negligible shot on goal, underscored the Lancers’ intent to secure their fifth consecutive WCAL title. Coach **Carlos Barboza** praised his team’s focus, stating, “The girls were super focused… They executed and put the game away fairly early.”
St. Ignatius (14-2-1, 8-2-1) had previously tied with St. Francis **0-0** on **January 17**, but this time, their efforts fell short. Coach **Daire O’Connor** acknowledged the challenge, saying, “They were very motivated… We knew St. Francis was going to come out really, really strong.”
As the Lancers head into the final two games of the regular season, their sights are firmly set on the **Central Coast Section playoffs**, where they are expected to secure the No. 1 seed in the Division I bracket. Barboza emphasized the team’s goal: “Closing out WCAL with as many wins as possible… and to go into the playoffs healthy.”
On the other side, St. Ignatius remains optimistic about their playoff prospects. O’Connor highlighted the team’s resilience and unity, stating, “They’re very resilient, and they really are buying into the team identity… I think that’ll help us go deep in the playoffs.”
With the stakes higher than ever, both teams are gearing up for a fierce playoff run. Fans can expect thrilling matches ahead as the Lancers aim for the state championship, while the Wildcats look to prove their mettle in the upcoming matches.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the exciting conclusion of the WCAL season!