By Emma Kavcioglu

The Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Varsity Girls Soccer team has made history and has finally reached a milestone sought after for decades: a state championship. The Girls team was the first ever GHC soccer team, male or female, to bring home a state championship.

After three months of training and anticipation, on March 2, the Girls Soccer team faced off against Apple Valley High School to fight for the D3 soccer state championship title.

The game took place at the GHC Zelzah campus, giving the players the home-court advantage. In the stands stood parents, friends, and alumni, cheering on the players. Spectators brought signs, confetti cannons, and their school spirit.

GHC was down 1-0 heading into the second half of the game, and tensions were rising until junior Ana De Los Santos scored a penalty kick, tying the score.

“I definitely felt the pressure. I realized that shot was going to be the best chance at getting us back into the game,” De Los Santos said. “It felt great to get it past the keeper and give the team some momentum.”

After almost two hours, the game went into overtime and came down to penalty shootouts. Apple Valley missed their first penalty kick, leaving the opening GHC needed to take the lead.
Freshman Natalia Pimentel finished the game by scoring the final penalty goal, securing GHC women’s soccer the state championship. When the ball flew into the goal, the women’s team ran towards Pimentel, jumping and screaming out of pure excitement.

“It did not feel real,” Pimentel said. “I was so happy that I took that kick, and I am so grateful that I was able to help my team get to that point and reach this accomplishment.”

The state championship was the finale of the girl’s soccer team’s legendary season. The GHC Girls Soccer team is the reigning West Valley League Champions, after winning a game against Birmingham in the League Finals.

The GHC Girls soccer coach, Guilhereme Mitrovich, was also named the top all-West Valley League coach. In his first season of coaching the Girls team, he led them to a CIF semifinal, West Valley League Championship, and State Championship.

The team partially credits their success to the chemistry and bond that they have cultivated throughout the season. The night before their games the team shares a pasta dinner and before games they meet up to have breakfast together.

“It’s like a family,” junior and Captain Haley Mallas said. “You do everything together. You learn to be there for each other on and off the field and it creates a dynamic that helps you achieve your goals when it gets hard.”