Fresno City soccer wins state title

Led by a contingent of Madera, Madera South and Liberty soccer players, the Fresno City Rams women’s soccer team completed a run for the state championship Saturday in Sacramento.

Hours after the Fresno City men’s soccer team, the undefeated women’s team defeated Santa Barbara 2-1 to capture their first California Community College Athletic Association championship since 1988.

Madera South’s Sophia Zertuche scored the first goal of the match in the second half. The Rams got another 20 minutes later and Santa Barbara added one in stoppage time off a corner kick.

In a match-up of undefeated teams, Anissa Wilson sent a pass to the left in front of the goal and Zertuche headed the ball into the net for her seventh goal of the season and give Fresno City College the lead.

Taylor Alkire got a pass from Wilson and gave the Rams an insurance goal. Santa Barbara scored on a corner kick in stoppage time.

Also playing for the Rams with Madera ties were Jasmine Garibay (Madera South), Raina Wristen (Liberty), Franki Navarro (Madera South) and Elvira Hernandez (Madera).