February 13, 2026

Written by Dave Smith

RIVERSIDE:  “Win or go home” is the motto of the CIF Playoffs for any team talented enough to get into the Tournament. On Thursday evening, the girls soccer team knew that and played a thriller of a game against South Torrance that took two overtimes and 4 penalty kick goals to secure the win for the Wolves.  South Torrance went home

South Torrance got on the board first when a ball that was not cleared was shot in by the South forward to make the score 1-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Lucy Allen dribbled past two defenders to shoot the ball from 25 yards out that eluded the South Torrance goalkeeper to make the score 1-1 which was the score at halftime.

In the 47^th minute, Lucy found senior Angelina Enriquez with a perfectly weighted pass that Angelina was able to carry into the box and cut it back to her right foot so that she could fire in a shot that gave King a 2-1 lead. In the 65^th minute, a ball got behind the King defenders that South was able to carry into the goal for the equalizer.

The game remained tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation. The girls then played two ten-minute overtimes without any scoring which set up the game to be decided by penalty kicks.

South Torrance made their first penalty kick which was matched by Angelina to make it 1-1. The next kicker for South struck the cross bar and was cleared by Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Henry.

For King’s second attempt, Lucy placed the shot out of the reach of the South keeper to make it 2-1. South’s third attempt sailed over the goal. Kayden Wallace place her shot in the upper right-hand corner of the next to make it 3-1 with two kickers remaining. South converted their next attempt to make it 3-2.

Sophomore Olivia Tapia, who was called up from JV to the playoff roster to gain playoff experience, scored the game winner when she buried her shot past the extended reach of the South keeper to make it 4-2 in PK’s.

It was great to get such a huge win for the girls tonight. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we face another undefeated league champion in Alta Loma on Saturday. On a personal note, this win marked my 100^th win as the King coach and I cannot think of a more memorable win than what we accomplished tonight.  I had told the girls prior to the start of the game that the scoreboard did not define who they were but rather it was their heart, passion, and fight that defined them. Tonight, they showed pride, courage, and a desire to compete for one another for 100 minutes to earn the victory.

Senior Jaslynn Lopez said after the game, “Hard work doesn’t lie. Round one of CIF proved what happens when a team commits, pushes through challenges, and believes in each other. We got the win and I’m proud of all the girls and excited for what’s next.”

Alta Loma is, and another win-or-go-home game.