The Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s Girls 2004 Elite came from behind and defeated Bakersfield-based Albion SC Central Cal, 2-1, to win the Cal South State Cup Presidents Division title on Sunday in Oceanside.
Sadie Stout converted a penalty kick in the final minutes of regulation to give the SBCS squad the victory and a berth in the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships in Salt Lake City. Santa Barbara was awarded the penalty kick after Evony Diaz was fouled in the box.
Albion took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half.
An energized Santa Barbara team scored the equalizer less than two minutes into the second half. Jordan Yates finished a cross from Eden Lazarus for the goal.
Santa Barbara went unbeaten (6-0) in the tournament.
The team is coached by Brian “Ziggy” Ziegenhagen, who guided the San Marcos girls soccer team to the CIF-SS Division 5 championship
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.