The Gryphon Gazette

By Lauryn F. ‘26

The Crystal Girls’ Soccer team has had a long history of successes, with a few West Bay Athletic League championships here and there, but this year has topped them all. As this past season unfolded, it became evident that it would be a year to remember. From the exhilarating pre-season clashes to the triumphant league performances, the team’s journey this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each game served as a testament to the players’ skills, determination, and unwavering spirit. As we reflect on the season’s highlights and achievements, we celebrate the collective efforts and dedication that propelled the team to new heights.

During the pre-season period, Crystal participated in the Firebird Classic, a tournament that allowed the team to test out formations and positions while integrating new players. Crystal quickly found success as they beat San Mateo High School, Woodside Priory, and Lynbrook High School to advance to the finals game against their local rival, the Nueva School, an opponent that they would go on to face twice more throughout their season. In the final, the game stayed set at a score of 0-0 for the first 70 minutes, and the game moved into extra time. Still, after 30 minutes of extra time, the score was still 0-0. Crystal and Nueva continued on to a thrilling penalty shootout, from which Crystal emerged victorious, with two penalty saves from goalkeeper Mia R. ‘24. The Gryphons went on to play Nueva again in another round of preseason games and were able to continue the streak with a 3-2 win. Crystal had a few more pre-season games, but there was nothing they couldn’t handle. One of their two losses of the season came from tough opponent Aragon High School. Historically, Crystal and Aragon have a longstanding tradition of facing off during preseason every year. The game was intense, with a 0-0 score at halftime. However, Aragon was first to put the ball in the back of the net during the second half. Crystal quickly responded with a goal of their own, but in the last few minutes of the game, Aragon was able to sneak in one more goal to win the game 2-1. Even though it was a loss on paper, the Gryphons still took it as a success, given that Aragon has over five times the number of students as Crystal.

After competing in the WBAL Skyline Division, the Gryphons ended league play with a record-setting 9 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie. In Crystal’s first match against Mercy Burlingame, the game was fairly tight throughout the first half; however, Crystal was able to come out on top with a nice finish from midfielder Allie W. ‘27 in the second half. Crystal’s only tie occurred in their second match against Castilleja. The Gryphons had beaten the Gators 3-1 earlier in the season.  However, the second game was more difficult, with Castilleja scoring on two freekicks from just outside of the box in the first half. Crystal was able to get one goal back, but the first half ended in Castilleja’s favor 2-1. During the second half, Crystal displayed a strong effort and was able to get another goal, but it was not enough to win the game, and the Gryphons had to settle for a 2-2 tie. 

After finishing league play undefeated and with the top spot in the Skyline Division, Crystal went into CCS with high expectations. For their success, the team was rewarded with the number one seed in Division 5. The team was “an interesting conversation,” when it came to their seeding, as Melissa Schmidt, a member of the seeding committee, said, “People see them as a good team, but it’s hard [to gauge] when they play in a ‘C’ league.” While the team was seeded first in Division 5, an article in San Mateo’s Daily Journal stated, “Crystal may have fattened up on ‘C’ league schedule that is the WBAL Skyline Division.” After reading the article, the team knew they had to step it up and ended up winning their first-round game 9-0 against Mills. They faced off against Rancho San Juan High School next, who scored a goal in the first half to put them up 1-0 at halftime. However, Crystal proved to be unphased as they ended up winning the game 2-1, with goals in the final minutes from freshmen Ma’Lia P. ‘27 and Clara T. ‘27. On the other side of the bracket, Nueva School won both of their games 8-1 and 4-1 against Gunderson High School and York High School, respectively. This meant that Crystal and Nueva would face each other yet again, but this time for the title of CCS Division 5 champion. The stakes were higher than ever before; this game was a chance for Crystal to beat Nueva for a third time, and it was a chance for Nueva to prove that they could pull out a win. The game quickly started with an early goal for Nueva, setting Crystal back. The rest of the game was played in Nueva’s half as Crystal had chance after chance to score. Finally, Crystal winger Vivi C. ‘25 was able to put the ball in the back of the net with a long shot from outside the 18-yard box. Both teams went into halftime with a lot to think about. After halftime, Nueva and Crystal came out ready to play. The game was back and forth, both teams gunning for that game-winning goal. It wasn’t until later in the game that Vivi was able to parallel her first goal with a long shot from the right to send the Gryphons to victory. Nueva tried to regain the lead, but their efforts weren’t enough, and the final whistle blew. After a long-awaited time, Crystal Girls soccer was able to lift their first-ever CCS trophy!

With their CCS D5 Championship, Crystal was rewarded with the 5th seed of Division 4 for the NorCal State Championship. The team faced off against Kerman High School, which was seeded 4th. After making the trek out to Fresno, Crystal started the game off strong, creating two big chances in Kerman’s box that were not able to be finished. At the end of the first half, Kerman was able to find a goal off a counterattack. Down 1-0 at halftime, the Gryphons were at a disadvantage. Both teams started the second half strong, but a corner-kick goal from Kerman changed the course of the game. Crystal tried to recover, but it was too late; the Gryphons fell short and their journey to the State Championships ended there. 

This year’s team consisted of six seniors, Izzy C., Destiny C., Audrey F., Gia G., Mia R., and Emme W., all of whom put their best effort forward for the team throughout the whole season. While it may not have ended the way they wanted, they all have a lot to be proud of. Their leadership, perseverance, and passion have left a mark on the team, and their contributions will always be cherished and remembered fondly. As they all embark on new adventures beyond the field, their dedication to Crystal will always be remembered. 

The Crystal Girls’ Soccer team’s journey this year has been one of triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable moments. From the pre-season battles to the league dominance and the exhilarating CCS victory, each step has been a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. As the season draws to a close, we reflect on the camaraderie, growth, and achievements that have defined this remarkable journey. With eyes set on the future, we carry forward the lessons learned and the memories shared, ready to embark on new adventures and write the next chapter in Crystal Soccer’s history. As we bid farewell to another memorable season, we express gratitude to all who have supported and cheered on the team every step of the way.