Paloma Valley Girls Soccer Team Off to Fast Start

Members of the Paloma Valley girls soccer team were all smiles after winning the second-place trophy in the recent Beaumont Tournament.

Completing strong finishes in the Beaumont Tournament and Bellflower Tournament, the Paloma Valley High School girls soccer team takes a 7-2-2 record into the holiday break in preparation for a Jan. 9 nonlegue game against Hemet and the Jan. 15 Sunbelt League opener at Elsinore High.

The Wildcats finished off the Bellflower Tournament with a 2-0 victory, highlighted by goals from Chloe Atkins and Amanda Gomez and assists by Lauren Perez and Bailey Calhoun. Prior to that, the team defeated Santa Monica 1-0 on a goal by Kaitlyn Johnson off an assist by Elizabeth Elisa Huerta.

Goalkeepers Christina Rodriguez and Linday Baca each recorded four saves in the shutout victories. Rodriguez was the league MVP last season, when Paloma Valley finished third despite allowing only three goals in league play.

Earlier last week, the Wildcats beat Murrieta Mesa 2-1 on goals by Gomez and Atkins.

Paloma Valley's defense is anchored by senior Jackie Armijo and juniors Vanessa Banuelos and Jada Brown.

"Defense is our strength," said coach Marie Dillon. "We're trying to be more consistent, though, and improve our attacking game."