BY JASMINE ROSALES

Citrus Valley High School’s girls’ varsity soccer have had a target on their backs by being Citrus Belt League champs for the past four years and running. The girls and coaches have shown tremendous dedication and hard work to get the program where it is. 

Coach Delgado said, “This season was full of energy, and positivity” and that hard work paid off this 2023-2024 season where they clinched CBL for the fifth consecutive year, undefeated. 

Girls Varsity Soccer hold their hands over their heart during the playing of the national anthem, prior to game time at Hodges Stadium (Photo courtesy of Scott Pearne)

Kicking CBL off in early January, the Blackhawks had their first away game in Terrier Town versus Redlands High School on January 3rd. Working with the weather, the girls had a delay in game time to adjust to the heavy rain and hail  but came up victorious with a win over the Terriers 2-0. Following the next game, held on Friday, January 5, 2024, the Blackhawks held their first home game of the season against Beaumont. This game Citrus Valley came up strong and finished the game 5-0 against the Cougars. On Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024, the Citrus Valley Varsity Girls Soccer traveled to Cajon for their third game where they won their game against the Cowgirls by a score of 4-0. Moving onto their 4th game of CBL, they traveled to Redlands East Valley High School and played an intense game versus the Wildcats; leaving halftime with a lead of 4-0 the Blackhawks soon battled with a hard comeback from REV. The game left both teams huffing and puffing, leaving CV with a win over the Wildcats with a close game 4-3. Coming to the end of the first round of CBL, the Blackhawks host a home game against the T-Birds. This matchup of Yucaipa versus Citrus Valley is known for being very competitive as they battle for the number one spot in their league, at the final whistle both teams leave the field with a tie 0-0. 

On Friday, January 19 the girls start round two off strong. Citrus Valley had prepared to go head to head with each school for the last time of the season. Starting back up with the terriers, the Blackhawks made it a point to come back harder than last round, proving why they have been four-time CBL champs, shutting RHS out with a score of 4-0. Traveling to Beaumont the next week to face the Cougars, CV was determined to keep the streak alive especially with a target on their backs thus far into CBL; the Blackhawks came out on top with a score of 2-0. Celebrating on their bus ride home and looking forward to the next game versus Cajon on their home field. CV works from beginning to end of this match, rising out of this match with a smile on each of the girls faces as the final score is announced 9-1. 

After scoring from outside of the box, Citrus Valley Senior, Vanessa Alcala celebrates with her teammates (Photo Courtesy of Mike McCue)

Looking towards the following week with two challenging games, the girls use their goal of becoming five time CBL champs as motivation and work twice as hard at practice and film to learn from their mistakes. 

“It starts with the warm-up” Elizabeth Northcott, senior and captain of the girls varsity soccer team, states prior to warm-up to encourage her teammates that they warm up with purpose and get in the game mindset. 

The Blackhawks held their senior night against the Wildcats on January 29, 2024. Making it so that not only are they playing for the title but also for the seniors; as the whistle is blown the Blackhawks connect passes up along the field crossing and Junior Julia Pacioratti bangs the first goal into the back of the net creating momentum for CV to run with. The second goal, scored by Senior Vanessa Alcala and assisted by Senior Sasha Amezcua, brings the score up 2-0 against the Wildcats. From this point the Blackhawks held their ground for a shutout, working in unison and defending from the top of the field until last man, CV shut out the Wildcats 2-0; securing their spot as the Citrus Belt League champs. 

The Blackhawks travel to Yucaipa for their last game of League, in the huddle prior to game time Ava Lopez Senior and the other captain for the girls varsity soccer team, reminds the seniors, “This is our last time playing against Yucaipa with this team.”

Lopez puts two goals in the back of the net within the first half of the game, with a lead of 2-0 by halftime. Coach Delgado encourages the girls during halftime to continue playing intensely, being first to the ball, and most importantly, “Do not let up.” 

All the way to the final whistle the girls finished strong holding the lead over Yucaipa and a final score of 2-0.

Post win against Yucaipa High School, and the team’s last CBL game, the girls freeze this special moment in time with a picture on January 31 at 7:46pm (Photo courtesy of Cassondra Delgado)

Clinching CBL for the fifth consecutive year in a row, and fourth undefeated; Citrus Valleys girls varsity soccer team have made Blackhawk history once again leading them into CIF where they were scheduled to play JSerra High School the following week on February 8th; where the Blackhawks season sadly came to an end with a battle from start to finish they were short 0-2. 

Wrapping up Coach Delgado’s first season as the new head varsity coach, Delgado shared, “Of course like any team, we did have our share of challenges however because the girls responded with hard work, effort, and were there for each other. We were able to reach our goal of winning CBL 5 years in a row.”