The Malibu High girls soccer team’s “Cinderella” postseason ended last Friday when the Sharks fell to Canyon Springs, 3-1, in the California Interscholastic Federation Division IV playoffs. After two inspiring performances from senior Kristiana Konkol helped the team reach that point, the glass slipper didn’t fit in the CIF quarterfinals against the fifth-seeded Cougars.
The Sharks (13-5-4) came into the game on an epic hot streak after downing Ontario, Torrance and Brentwood, the latter two in dramatic last-second finishes.
The game against Canyon Springs (22-2-2) began on relatively even footing, with Malibu having much of the ball and the run of play. But midway through the first half, Canyon Springs struck first when one of the Cougars sprung free down the right wing and slipped a shot past goalkeeper Maddie Clarfield. Minutes before halftime, Canyon Springs doubled its lead when a counterattack down the right flank resulted in another goal.
Despite being down 2-0 at halftime, the Sharks were still full of confidence after pulling out unlikely victories in their two previous contests. In the second half, the Sharks came out of the gates strong, but battled a stout Canyon Springs defense that repeatedly turned away scoring chances.
With ten minutes remaining, Malibu finally got on the scoreboard when Konkol received a great pass from Danica Downing. Konkol calmly knocked it over the goalkeeper’s head for her third goal in three games since coming back from a six-month injury layoff. Another heart-stopping finish appeared to be in the offing.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, it was not to be. The Cougars put the game away with a late goal and pulled out the victory 3-1. Still, the Sharks’ seven seniors will never forget the team’s magical run through the 2012 playoffs.
After dismantling Ontario, 8-0, in a wild card game, the Sharks knocked off fourth-seeded Torrance, 3-2. Konkol made her season debut after sitting out six months with a broken leg. Coming on as a substitute, she promptly scored the game-winning goal with five minutes remaining to set off a wild celebration.
In the second round, the pixie dust lingered for the Sharks. Facing a tough Brentwood squad, the host Sharks prevailed after Konkol took a pinpoint pass from forward Carleigh Madden to score the game winner once again, this time with only 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Bedlam ensued on the Malibu campus as the team celebrated another thrilling victory in the closing seconds that sent the Sharks to the CIF quarterfinals.
“It showed the heart of our team,” goalkeeper Maddie Clarfield said after the Brentwood game. “I was mentally preparing myself at the end in case it (the season) would end. Then all of a sudden Kristiana scores.”
The goal took Konkol’s season tally to two goals, both of them game-winners in playoff games.
“It’s been incredible being a part of this,” Konkol said. “More than anything it’s just great being back playing with my teammates.”
This season, the Sharks fought through adversity and early bumps in the road. Injuries and illnesses derailed the Sharks chances of winning a league title, before the team’s special playoff streak. The seven seniors on this year’s team can hold their heads high knowing they enjoyed admirable careers. In the past three seasons, this year’s senior class amassed 45 wins, including a CIF Division VI championship in 2010.
Midnight might have struck for this “Cinderella” story, but in the end, Malibu coach John Johnstone and his Sharks came together and provided a memorable playoff run.
“This team showed what true commitment, passion and desire are all about,” Johnstone said. “Each of them carried this team when they had to, made the plays when they had to and epitomized what being a team player really means. Each and every one of them is an MVP to me. I will never forget the lessons we all learned together this year. Winning may be ‘the only thing,’ but it isn’t everything. This team stands as proof of that.”