Palma Girls Soccer Makes Memories on the Road
The Palma Girls Soccer team headed down south for a two-game road trip to Pismo Beach—one filled with competition, challenges, and unforgettable team moments.
Friday's matchup against Morro Bay High School brought a special opportunity: the chance to compete under the lights at Cal Poly's Spanos Stadium. For many players, stepping onto a college pitch was a first—and an experience they won't soon forget.
Palma wasted no time making their mark. Just one minute into the match, Freshman Gigi Richert opened the scoring with a composed finish, giving the Chieftains early momentum. Not long after, Senior Elsie Sargenti doubled the lead on a clean breakaway, set up beautifully by Freshman Amalia Phillips, whose precision pass split the defense.
Defensively, the Chieftains stood strong. Senior goalkeeper Rachelle Andrade delivered an outstanding debut performance, coming up with several key saves that kept Palma in control during high-pressure moments. On the backline, Brynn Baxter, Kathryn Dill, Yazmin Alvarado Ramirez and Aiylee Blair anchored the defense with discipline and poise—efforts that earned Brynn Player of the Game honors.
Morro Bay answered with a goal late in the first half, tightening the match and setting the stage for a physical, hard-fought second half. But Palma refused to let the moment slip. Midway through the half, Amalia Phillips delivered the dagger—an absolute rocket from 35 yards out that bent into the back of the net and electrified the sideline.
The final whistle sealed a memorable win and a core memory for the entire group. The celebration continued with pizza from Woodstock's, smiles all around after a night they'll talk about for years.
Saturday evening brought a tough challenge against Templeton. After losing a few players to injuries from Friday's physical match, Palma battled with a shortened bench. Despite their best effort, the Chieftains fell 8–0 to a deep and overpowering opponent. Aiylee Blair earned play of the game honors by shutting down the left side of their offense. While the result wasn't what they hoped for, the weekend as a whole showed the team's resilience, heart, and growing chemistry.
From scoring under the lights at a Division I stadium to forming bonds on the beach, Palma Girls Soccer walked away from Pismo Beach with more than just game experience—they gained memories, lessons, and a stronger sense of unity.
