Cifuentes' goal powers Rams to section crown

RIALTO >> Kimberly Cifuentes has something for the haters.

Cifuentes led from the front as Ramona scored in the first half for the 10th consecutive match en route to a 2-0 victory over Carter on Friday night in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 girls soccer championship match.

“You can still be hating on us and we might still be (Division 6), but some of you lost to a D6,” Cifuentes said.

The senior striker’s goal in the 35th minute proved the difference as Ramona (16-6-3) won its first section title in a girls sport and just its third ever in any sport.

The Rams advance to the CIF State Socal Regionals next week.

“We don’t need your encouragement or your negativity. Look where we are now,” Cifuentes said.

Cifuentes tucked her second shot attempt inside the far post for the opening goal just before halftime for Ramona, which is currently riding a six-match unbeaten streak.

“It’s been a long time in coming. All the girls were coachable from preseason and they bought in to our ideas (and) it led to this,” Ramona first-year coach Noemy Castro said.

The Rams touched the ball around well and controlled the bulk of the possession in the first half, adding a second goal against the run of play in the second half, with Ayanna Goodwin getting the last touch on a loose ball at the top of the goal area.

Defensively, Ramona has allowed only one goal in five playoff matches with senior goalkeeper Kennedy Bueno battling illness all week to make three saves in the second half.

“It was just like any other game to us. No pressure because we know we got it,” Ramona senior defender Nyomi Rivas said.

The loss snapped a six-match winning streak for Carter (12-64), which was playing in its first section final.

“I think it came down to who wanted it more,” Carter senior Layla Bustamante said.

The Lions had lost just once in its last 10 matches coming in but did not have a shot on goal until they were down 2-0 the second half.

Carter failed to score in each of its six losses this season.

TERRY PIERSON – STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER