Azusa girls soccer team advances to semifinals after penalty shootout win

Aztecs overcome last year's penalty shootout loss to reach Division 7 semifinals

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Azusa girls soccer team defeated San Gabriel 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams tied 1-1 in regulation and two overtime periods. Azusa goalkeeper Pricilla Liberato made a big save in the shootout to help the Aztecs advance to the Division 7 semifinals, where they will face Cate. This comes a year after Azusa's season ended in a penalty shootout loss in the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Aztecs were determined not to let a penalty shootout loss end their season again, and their dramatic victory over San Gabriel shows their resilience and ability to overcome past disappointments. Azusa has been a strong program the past two seasons, and reaching the semifinals puts them one win away from playing for a championship.

The details

In the quarterfinal match, Azusa took a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute on a goal by Citlali Alonso, but San Gabriel equalized in the 47th minute on a free kick goal by Rihanna Kennar. The teams remained tied 1-1 through regulation and two overtime periods, leading to the penalty shootout. Azusa's Luz Gonzalez, Blanca Garcia, Marissa Sanchez and Daniella Herrera all scored on their penalty kicks, and Liberato made a big save to help the Aztecs advance 4-3 in the shootout.

  • The quarterfinal match took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Azusa will host Cate in the semifinals on Saturday.

The players

Pricilla Liberato

The goalkeeper for the Azusa Aztecs who made a crucial save in the penalty shootout to help her team advance.

Luz Gonzalez

An Azusa player who scored on her penalty kick in the shootout.

Blanca Garcia

An Azusa player who scored on her penalty kick in the shootout.

Marissa Sanchez

An Azusa player who scored on her penalty kick in the shootout.

Daniella Herrera

An Azusa player who scored on her penalty kick in the shootout.

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What they’re saying

“It's a good feeling after last year when we lost in the penalties. Finally coming back and going to the semifinals, it feels good.”

— Pricilla Liberato, Azusa goalkeeper (SGVTribune.com)

“Once you go into penalties you have to focus and lock in. We've been practicing for this every single practice and pushing so hard. And here we are, the semifinals.”

— Pricilla Liberato, Azusa goalkeeper (SGVTribune.com)

“It was definitely frustrating to have to go to overtime, but we played our hearts out and tried our best. The penatlies had us on edge, it had everyone on edge. But we overcame everything. We overcame the nerves, and we came out on top.”

— Blanca Garcia, Azusa player (SGVTribune.com)

“It felt like (the game) was forever. We were struggling but at the end we came out on top. It was a relief from last year because we lost in penalties, and it was that feeling all over again, 'oh my God.' But we got through it and we got the win.”

— Jaylynn Salas, Azusa forward (SGVTribune.com)

What’s next

Azusa will host Cate in the Division 7 semifinals on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

Azusa's dramatic penalty shootout victory over San Gabriel shows the team's resilience and determination to not let past playoff disappointments define them. Their run to the semifinals puts them one win away from playing for a championship, a testament to their hard work and focus this season.