Modesto JC women reach State Final Four in soccer

Tears were shed by both teams Saturday in Santa Rosa, but for Modesto Junior College, they were tears of joy.

The MJC women's soccer team shocked previously unbeaten Santa Rosa 2-1, thanks to goals by Tyler Fenton and Yaritza Arista, and advanced to the State Final Four.

The Pirates (18-4-2) will meet Rio Hondo of Whittier (16-1-4) in the semifinals Friday at 1:30 p.m. at De Anza College in Cupertino. The other semifinal at 10 a.m. features Fresno (20-1-4) against defending champion Cerritos (21-0-3). The winners meet for the title Sunday at 10 a.m.

Santa Rosa's emotion stemmed from the reality of a first loss and season's end. The Pirates celebrated because they cleared a major hurdle – the third round of the Northern California playoffs. Last year, Modesto was eliminated in this round via a heartbreaking overtime loss to Cosumnes River.

In fact, MJC is 2-4 over the last decade in the game to reach the Final Four. The Pirates advanced for the first time since 2008.

"We're confident. We're playing well," MJC coach Steve Aristotelous said. "To be good, you have to train hard and practice hard. We do a lot of extra stuff that a lot of people don't. We finally have bought into it."

Santa Rosa, which edged Modesto for the Big 8 Conference title, owns a 2-0 win over the Pirates. The teams tied 2-2 on Nov. 13. Since the loss to the Bear Cubs, MJC is 8-0-2.

Modesto shocked its hosts by building a 2-0 lead. The Pirates took charge 10 minutes into the match on Fenton's kick from about 20 yards out after an assist by Andrea Zaragoza.

In the 60th minute, the Pirates pulled away when Arista beat the Santa Rosa back line. Madeline Adams had the assist.

Santa Rosa scored with 20 minutes left, but Modesto held off the Bear Cubs' attempts to tie. Goalkeeper Ashley Almeida was credited with eight saves.

MJC, which won the Big 8 last fall, is led by a sophomore class that is 38-6-4.

"That is an untouchable record, I think," Aristotelous said. "I really don't think anyone can beat us when we play our game. We weren't afraid of Santa Rosa."

Rio Hondo, the runner-up behind San Bernardino in the Foothill Conference, has lost only to San Bernardino.