MidValleySports.Com

Shavonn Johnson battles for the ball.

(La Verne) – A high-pressure attack from beginning to end resulted in a 3-1 first round CIF playoff victory for Bonita’s Girl’s soccer program over Sultana.

After pushing the pace the entire first half and coming up empty on the offensive side, the Bearcats broke through on Sultans goalkeeper Courtney Roberts with a cross from Katie Pichotta which hit the crossbar and landed at the feet of Sarah Viggers who buried the ball in the back of the net for the first score.

Bonita’s pressure paid dividends later in the 53^rd minute when Mikayala Flores made a nice cross into the box which was dummied by Viggers which allowed Shavonn Johnson a clear shot at the net to make it two to nil.

Two minutes later the Bearcats put the game away on Julia Pinto’s goal. Pichotta made a nice cross and a misplay by Roberts allowed Pinto to ripple the net.

In many ways Bonita could’ve been up big at the half, but missed opportunities early allowed the game to be scoreless at the half.

The Sultans dodged several scoring chances by the Bearcats but none scarier in the opening half than Johnson’s shot that just went wide of goal.

Sultana did give a scare to Bonita in the 39^th minute that would have changed the complexion of the game if Kelly Keyes free-kick appeared to give goalkeeper Jesse Vargas trouble and nearly went past her into the goal. Vargas was able to recover and make the save.

Keyes would finally score in the 78^th minute as the tough Bearcat defense had a lapse late in the game.

The Bearcats must now face the winner of Righetti-Valencia fixture.