The streak has been snapped.
For the first time since 2017, the Summerville High School girls varsity soccer team has defeated its local rivals, Sonora. The Wildcats traveled across Tuolumne County on Monday evening to face off against the Bears at Thorsted Field.
Summerville (1-0) beat Sonora (1-1) by a final score of 2-1 to defend home turf in its season opener.
“It’s just a good chance to play your friends. Even though it’s a lot of competition, you just find the fun in it,” Bears freshman forward Kylie Peterson said. “(The win) proves that even though we’re lower than them, we can still show up as a team together.”
The Wildcats’ 16-game unbeaten streak against Summerville lasted nearly eight years. Prior to this week, the Bears’ last victory versus Sonora was a 5-1 win on Feb. 9, 2017. During that period, the Wildcats outscored their county foes 29-7 across nine victories and seven draws.
“Honestly, just being able to play them, even though it’s preseason, is pretty cool,” Sonora junior forward Addison Kraft said. “Being able to try and beat them is pretty fun because they’re in the same county as us and we know all of them. The competitiveness is intense because we’re friends with them. On the field, it’s really not like that at all.”
The Wildcats struck first Monday night. Kraft scored in the 18th minute off a right side deflection from Summerville freshman goalkeeper Shafer Rexwinkle, who finished with five saves.
The Bears responded nearly immediately. Four minutes later, Peterson netted a point in the left side of the net off an assist from junior defender Leighton Williamson.
“To be honest, I didn’t really mean to shoot it, but obviously I’m happy it went in,” Peterson said with a grin.
Summerville junior forward Jordan Bick scored a header in the 32nd minute, but it was waived off due to an offsides call. The game went into halftime tied at 1 apiece.
Peterson ended the stalemate in the 61st minute with a goal that was assisted by junior midfielder Sawyer Stark. Summerville then held on for the 2-1 victory to snap the streak.
“I think the game went well,” Sonora head coach Brandon Ludwig said. “We got to see a couple different players in different positions, which we were trying to do in that game. It will build a good foundation for the rest of the season and give us a good opportunity to win future games.”
The Wildcats have three non-league contests remaining before beginning Trans Valley League action. Sonora won 7-0 at Riverbank on Nov. 22. The Wildcats host Buhach Colony and Oakdale at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday and Tuesday, Dec. 10, respectively. Sonora is headed to Modesto to face Central Catholic at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The Bears have nine non-league matchups left prior to Mother Lode League play starting. Summerville will play in two respective tournaments hosted by Oakdale and Sierra. The next match is on the road against Manteca at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.
