Santiago's Crystal Medina, center, is lifted by teammates after receiving the championship plaque. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
LONG BEACH — Crystal Medina was in the right place at the right time on her birthday.
Medina scored the game-winning goal in the 10th minute as the Santiago girls soccer team defeated Santa Margarita 2-0 in the CIF Southern Section Open Division championship game Friday at Veterans Stadium.
Santa Margarita's Faith George plays defense during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. , Abby Kelly of Santiago Leveling. (Photo by Michael) Mr. Kitada (contributing photographer)
Santiago's Abigail Turley stretches to make a save during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Photography by Michael Kitada) (Contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Emma Newman (right) faces Santiago during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Dribbling against Maddy Saruwatari (right). (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Jordan Goldstein (left) and Santa Margarita compete for the ball during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February. Margarita's Charlotte Memory (right) February 23, 2024 (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Crystal Medina (left) takes a header during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Decisive, Santa Margarita's Ruby Casey (right) defends, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Abby Kelly (left) and Santa Margarita take a kick during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, Feb. 23, at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Margarita's Justel David (right) attempts a block, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago goaltender Abigail Turley hits Santa Margarita during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo provided by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Justel David stays focused on the ball during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. Player (left) (Photo provided by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Fans show their support before the start of the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago Madi Sarwatari plays Santa Margarita's defense during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23rd. He takes a header in the middle. 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santa Margarita's Molly McMillan, right, dribbles during the first half of the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. ) (Photo credit: Michael Kitada, contributing photographer)
Santiago's Sami Ruiz takes a throw-in during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach (photo) Provided by: Michael Kitada) Photographer)
Santiago's Crystal Medina, center, is lifted by teammates after receiving the championship plaque. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Once the time is up, Santiago's Crystal Medina will rise into the air. Santiago defeated Santa Margarita 2-0. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates his victory over Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates his victory over Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita vs. Corona Santiago in the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada)
Santiago celebrates victory over Santa Margarita during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo provided by Michael Kitada)
Santiago players celebrate a penalty kick goal during the CIF-SS Open Division Women's Soccer Championship game between Santa Margarita and Corona Santiago at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy of :Michael Kitada))
“They always had that 'what if' feeling,” Medina said. “I feel like we’ve been chasing this since 2022 (losing to Temecula Valley in the Division 1 sectional final).”
It was Medina's 15th goal of the season for Santiago (23-2-2), which clinched its third sectional championship in nine years.
“Great players achieve great things on the biggest stage,” Santiago coach Mike Fleming said. “The birthday girl is scoring a goal on her birthday, and nothing could make me happier.”
Maddie Saruwatari added a goal from the penalty spot in the second half for the Sharks, who won their 15th straight game and will be the top-seeded team in the upcoming CIF State Southern California Regional playoffs.
“We were definitely hungry for more going into this game, but I don't think our job is done,” Medina said. “There’s still a lot to play for.”
Santiago set up his attack on the right side, and Medina took the lead in the 10th minute with a rebound.
“It was a very surreal moment and I was very excited,” Medina said.
Briana Garcia sent a cross from the right that bounced near the penalty area and was scored by Medina.
“I saw the ball coming in towards the back post and I thought, 'What if the ball lands at my feet?'” Medina said. “I was like, 'Don't miss it!'”
This is the second loss for Santa Margarita (12-3-5) in 10 championship game appearances, having failed to defend its Division I title from last season.
“This year was much more difficult for us considering our success last year,” Santa Margarita coach Krieg Bull said.
The Eagles appeared to tie the game midway through the first half, but Ireland Regan was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.
“(Santiago) was more clinical and the best team won because the best team put the ball in the back of the net and executed,” Bull said.
Santa Margarita only had one shot in the second half, but Saruwatari was unstoppable for five minutes, winning a penalty kick from a corner kick with some clever footwork.
Saruwatari, who scored the only goal in the second semifinal match against Los Alamitos, hit the penalty kick to the left of the goalkeeper for the winning goal.
