Last-Minute Overtime Shock: Lakewood Girls Suffer Heartbreaking Loss to Sultana—What Went Wrong?

The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is proudly sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin, while the coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013. In the world of high school sports, the line between triumph and heartbreak can be razor-thin, and that was starkly illustrated in a dramatic double overtime match where the Lakewood Lancers faced off against Sultana in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 5 bracket.

In a heartbreaking finale, Lakewood found itself on the losing side of a 2-1 score after a late goal in the 100th minute sealed their fate. The Lancers had fought back valiantly from a one-goal deficit, dominating possession and chances for most of the second half and into the overtime period. Yet, as so often happens in soccer, one moment of misfortune shifted everything. Sultana, who had struggled to maintain offensive pressure, mounted a final push just before the end, leading to a corner kick that changed the game's trajectory.

As the corner was taken, captain Renee Abbott made a soft header that found the back of the net, igniting jubilant scenes from the Sultana bench while Lakewood players fell to the ground, overcome with emotion. Tears flowed freely as the realization of their season's end set in.

“Tough game to swallow ending it like this,” said first-year head coach Angel Ayala. “I told the girls heads up high. It’s part of the game. We win some, we lose some, but at the end of the day we have to continue to work.”

Lakewood’s best opportunity to clinch victory came just after the 91st minute when a brilliant combination play between Abigail Ramos and Giselle Barbosa set up Kailee Phan for a shot on goal, but it was thwarted by Sultana goalkeeper Laney Gibson. The match was a tale of two halves; Lakewood outshot Sultana 6-2 in the second half with four shots on target, compared to just one shot in a sluggish first 40 minutes.

“I think it was just the speech that we had at halftime, and just having them understand that this could be our last game,” said Ayala. “They came out hungrier in the second half and it was a different team.”

The first half had started poorly for Lakewood, with senior defender and captain Verity Moreno going down with a knee injury in the 2nd minute, forcing her off the field. This setback seemed to rattle the Lancers, as they found themselves trailing in the 17th minute when Sultana's senior Cissy Men launched a powerful shot from 20 yards. Lakewood's junior goalkeeper Valentina Dominguez managed only to deflect it, allowing the ball to find its way into the net.

Despite the early blow and the go-ahead goal, the Lancers began to settle into the game. They ended the first half with a dangerous strike from Layla Kawamura, which marked their first shot on target. The momentum shifted significantly in the second half. Just two minutes in, Ramos took a free kick that deflected off a Sultana player, allowing senior Heidi Reynoso to equalize in the 47th minute.

“I was just so in the moment that I shot it, and I was just so happy,” said Reynoso, her voice a mixture of joy and sorrow. “But I wouldn’t have done it without my teammates.”

Though the pain of the loss will linger, it also highlights the progress the program has made under Ayala's leadership. From a playoff team to a second-round finisher, Lakewood was just seconds away from a chance for an even deeper postseason run.

“It’s just really hard knowing we had a chance to make it to the next round, but I think we worked hard,” Reynoso reflected. “I’m just grateful that we were able to make it this far.”

Ayala's goal since taking the helm has been to instill a love for the game within his players, having witnessed a challenging previous season where many girls considered quitting the sport. “I just wanted them to enjoy the sport,” he noted. “And it did. It didn’t end our way tonight, but the energy they left out there tonight came from the beginning of the year.”

The story of this match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of soccer and the emotional rollercoaster that high school sports can bring. For the Lakewood Lancers, the quest for redemption and growth continues, fueled by the passion and resilience they displayed on the field.