No. 3 Leland was waiting for its quarterfinal match against No. 6 Santa Teresa, who advanced as a result of its first round win over No. 11 Gilroy. The Chargers were a bit uncertain going into the match-up against a co-member of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Mt. Hamilton Division. They had been unable to defeat the Saints this season, suffering a loss in one match and settling for a tie in another. The Chargers made the third time a charm as they pounded out a solid 2-0 win.

The victory advanced No. 3 Leland (12-4-5) to a semifinal match against No. 2 Carlmont that was scheduled for Feb. 22. The Chargers had a little extra incentive against the defending Division I champs who knocked Leland out of the playoffs last year. The Division I championship match is set for Feb. 25 (time to be announced) at Valley Christian High School.

Leland took a 1-0 lead early on a corner kick play. Sarah Chehrehsa put the ball in play, getting it to Karina Cavanna. The right-footed Cavanna received the ball, maneuvered past one defender, and then deftly booted the ball with her left foot to the right corner of the goal for the score.

The game developed into a defensive struggle with both teams thwarting the efforts of its opponent until the Chargers broke through once more with about 10 minutes left. Brittany Ivanco picked up a loose ball off a Santa Teresa defender and sent it toward Lauren Chin. The sophomore, who had been called up from the junior varsity for the playoffs and was in her first varsity game ever, lofted a perfect shot that bent right into the goal and a 2-0 Leland advantage.

Santa Teresa had opportunities to break into the scoring column but was denied time and again by the Leland defenders. Goalkeeper Denelle Spencer was on her game and made several stops. The defensive line of Katie Campbell, Katelyn Tyson and Morgan Wampler had been a force all year long and they didn't miss a beat in the playoff contest.

Coach Dave Pitzen pointed out that the Santa Teresa sweeper had "caused us fits in the past" but this time Ivanco and Claire Thompson were given the task of marking her throughout the game. "Brittany and Claire kept her as a non-factor which made a huge difference in the game," the coach added.

Pitzen also singled out A.J. Huffman as "having her best all around game, being everywhere creating offense" and Evelyn Powery as "doing an outstanding job."

The opening round bye for No. 1 Pioneer (13-3-7) in the CCS Division II playoffs proved to be not so good. The Mustangs ran up against a very tough No. 8 St. Francis squad and suffered a 2-0 loss to end their season.

The two teams battled to a 0-0 deadlock at halftime and St. Francis did not break the scoring ice until about midway through the second half.

"I was really proud of the girls and they played tough against a quality team," coach Randy Worthington said. "We only made a couple of little errors, but they are a very good team, and we took advantage of them."