A McLane Football Tournament Victory for the Girls of Orcutt Academy

At the McClane Soccer Tournament, which was held at Fresno McClane High School on Friday and Saturday, the Orcutt Academy girls emerged victorious in Division 1.

The Spartans (7-3-1) outscored their opponents by a total of 17-0 and finished the tournament 4-0. Orcutt Academy has five consecutive victories.

Cara Mia Shaloob and Veronica Amador scored goals in the first half to help the Spartans defeat Santa Maria 2-0 and advance to the competition final. The Saints (11-1-2) suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Spartans.

A shot from Santa Maria in the second half missed the goal line but struck the crossbar. The Spartans maintained the shutout despite the Saints’ constant offensive assault thanks to the efforts of defenders Summer Alcantar and Zuri Zuzow.

On December 9, Santa Maria defeated Orcutt Academy 6-1 in Santa Maria in a non-league match. The Saints outscored their three opponents by a total of 18-0 at the McClane tournament, winning every game except for the defeat to Orcutt.

In the Division 1 championship match, Orcutt defeated host McClane 3-0, with Shalhoob scoring all three goals. Two assists were provided by Stephanie Garcia-Silva.

Early in the season, Shalhoob is filling in for Sydney Madison, the Orcutt Academy program’s all-time top scorer, who graduated with 12 goals in the tournament. Shortly before her senior year in 2023–24, Madison signed a contract with Central Washington.

In 2024, Orcutt Academy advanced to the CIF Central Section Division 5 Playoffs title game. Madera Torres, ranked first, defeated the No. 2 Spartans 3-0.

OA goalkeepers Thaliya Brown and Larissa Lorencz were able to maintain a spotless record in the McClane tournament because to the Orcutt defence, which included team captain Alcantar, Zuzow, Ellie Harrison, and Eva LaMarca.

In the first game of the Spartans’ tournament, Orcutt Academy defeated Orosi 8-0. Lucia Llerena and Peyton Miya each scored one goal, while Shalhoob scored six goals. LaMarca and Amador each got one assist, while Garcia-Silva had two.

In the second round, the Spartans defeated Porterville Monache, who were ranked higher, 4-0. LaMarca and Emma Fields each scored one goal, while Shalhoob scored two. Garcia-Silva helped out.

Throughout the tournament, Fields and sisters Lucia and Izzy Llerena provided the Spartans with excellent midfield play. Elizabeth Roden-Vargas, Alina McArthur, and Valeria Bonilla came off the bench and gave the Spartans crucial tournament minutes, according to Orcutt coach Brian Speer.

On January 10 at 3 p.m., Orcutt Academy will play Pioneer Valley in the Ocean League debut for the Spartans.