Folsom Lake Falls in Heartbreaking PK Finish, Season Ends in State Final Four

 Folsom Lake College's remarkable postseason run came to a crushing end Friday morning at Saddleback College, as the Falcons fell to Golden West 4–2 in penalty kicks after a grueling 0–0 draw through regulation and two overtimes in the CCCAA State Final Four.

For 120 minutes, the Falcons outshot Golden West, controlled long stretches of the midfield, and generated the better scoring looks. But in a match defined by inches and pressure, the season closed not with a goal—but with a shootout.

A Defensive Battle From Start to Finish

Both teams opened cautiously, but Folsom Lake eventually seized momentum, especially in the second half. The Falcons outshot Golden West 11–3 in the second half alone, finishing with a 17–10 shot advantage and 9 shots on goal.

Midfielders Kylie Deome (5 shots, 2 on goal) and Sofia Roberts (2 SOG) consistently pushed the attack, while defender Kiyomi Tauataina and sophomore midfielder Sadie Burns fired strong attempts that forced Golden West's goalkeeper into repeated saves. 

Folsom Lake goalkeeper Hailey Yates was equally calm under pressure, recording 3 saves across 118 minutes before regulation ended scoreless.

Overtime Tension

Both overtime periods produced tense, narrow chances. Folsom Lake continued probing, earning 5 corner kicks to Golden West's 6, but neither side could break through. Defenders Ava Wilfong, Lucy Bernino, and Kamryn Lee helped lock down Golden West's counterattacks, forcing the match to be decided from the spot.

Penalty Shootout: Inches from Glory

The Falcons entered the shootout confident, but Golden West struck first and never relinquished momentum.

Golden West converted all four of their attempts.

Folsom Lake responded with makes from Sofia Roberts and Madi Stroh, but two Falcon attempts were saved or missed, giving Golden West the 4–2 edge and the spot in the state title game.

A Season to Remember

Though the ending stings, the Falcons completed one of the strongest seasons in program history:

• 22–0–3 record heading into the Final Four

• Unbeaten through the entire regular season

• A defensive unit that allowed nearly nothing all year

• A roster filled with underclassmen who elevated the program to new heights

The match was a testament to Folsom Lake's grit. They controlled possession, created the most dangerous chances, and battled through nearly three hours of high-pressure postseason soccer.

In the end, the difference came down to penalty kicks—always brutal, always unpredictable.

Looking Ahead

With a young core returning and an undefeated regular season now in the books, the Falcons leave Mission Viejo with heartbreak… but also with pride, resilience, and a foundation built for repeat contention.

Their season ends in the Final Four, but their legacy this year will be remembered:
a team that never broke, never backed down, and never lost in 120 minutes.