Offense vs. defense for Hawks and Woodland

GALT — Defense wins championships, the age-old saying goes.

And that’s what the Liberty Ranch High girls soccer team are counting at Cosumnes Oaks High of Elk Grove. That is the site of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title game, as the No. 2 Hawks take on top-seeded Woodland. Game time is scheduled to start at noon.

Before reaching today’s title bout, Liberty Ranch beat Colfax 1-0 on a goal in the final minutes of Wednesday’s semifinal game at Walker Community Park. Woodland shutout Central Catholic of Modesto 3-0 in the other game.

This is the second time within a year that Liberty Ranch and Woodland have played each other in the playoffs. Last spring — before high school girls and boys soccer was moved to the winter season — in a semifinal game, Woodland posted 3-2 win over the Hawks.

Liberty Ranch (20-0-3), which won the Sierra Valley Conference title last month, has allowed only two goals this season. One was to Lodi, and the other to McNair, in non-league games.

The key to the Hawks’ defense, Liberty Ranch coach Robert Huarte states, is the team’s four fullbacks in Karlie Hintze, Devyn Kelley, Gianna Vigna and Jessalyn Sulamo. Another factor in Liberty Ranch’s attack is goalie Carson Jackson, who has 82 saves this season, averaging 3.6 saves in 23 games.

“They all play for Galt FC,” said Huarte of the quartet. “They have developed that chemistry that has developed over the last couple of years.”

The Hawks’ offense has produced goals led by sophomore forward/halfback McKenna Brown, who has 19 in 20 games.

“Her demeanor ... the best of attitude and she’s humble,” said Huarte of Brown. “Her game is solid.”

Other offensive contributors for Liberty Ranch are junior Sarah Medina, who has 12 goals in 20 games this season, and freshman Sydney Klink, with 10 in only 13 games. Klink, who booted the game-winning shot against Colfax on Wednesday, recently returned to the team after recovering from a sprained knee suffered in the Hawks’ game against Lodi.

Huarte also credits assistant coaches Kevin Brown, Mike Smith, Mike Kelley and Brian Crosson for the work they’ve put into establishing the Hawks’ defense this winter.

“They done a good job in stressing defense,” Huarte said.

The Hawks’ defense will be tested against Woodland (17-1-2), which captured the Tri-County Conference crown. The Wolves are averaging near-

ly four goals per game. They are led by Ariana Coronado, who has 26 goals in 20 games this season, and Ellie Burgess, with 21 in 19 games.

Liberty Ranch has one blue banner in girls soccer, from 2013 when it beat Central Catholic 3-1 for the D-V title.