On Jan. 23, friends and parents bundle in their thickest jackets, space heaters and fuzzy blankets to support the PRHS Women’s Varsity Soccer team as they face Orcutt Academy for their 18th home match of the season. The women’s soccer team stands second in the Sunset League and Orcutt Academy holds the 5th place spot in the league.
In the Friday match, the dominating starting line consisted of seniors Quinn Kobayashi, Caylee Lamb, and Kimberly Hernandez. Followed by Lila Colegrove, Harlem Rickson, Ava Bourgault, Camryn Heinbach, Hannah Needleman, Kaylyn Butterfield, Jordyn Van Pelt and goal keeper Jocelyn Torres Perez.
The game kicks off and within the first two minutes, Kobayashi scores the first goal. Kobayashi found her place on the field again after a MCl and ACL injury in Jan. of 2025. After a year of physical therapy and training she returned to the field on Jan. 6, for her senior year.
“It was really rewarding to be back and it felt like all of my hard work healing and getting back into shape paid off,” Kobayashi said.
The rest of the half, following Kobayashi’s goal, the Bearcats consistently pressure the Spartans, keeping the ball and their team pushing for a goal throughout the first half. With attempts from senior Jillian Kimpton and Rickson, Paso continued to work together, closing the first half of the game.
In the beginning of the second half, starting goalie Perez is relieved by senior Gabriela Anaya. The ball taken back by the Spartans travels near to Anaya. Orcutt gets past her, but with her quick athleticism, Anaya kicks the ball out of the way right before it rolls into the goal, saving her team from a tie game.
Following Anaya’s save, Perez returns to her position as keeper. Colegrove, who leads the team in goals made this season, adds the second point to the board, making the score 2-0 for the Cats.
The second half picks up when Orcutt Academy scores two goals, tying the game.
The Bearcats energy ramps up as Hernandez makes a header from a corner kick and Colegrove makes an attempt to score before being called offside. A close goal and a tied game puts pressure on both teams in the last minutes of the match.
Now comes the awaited match winning point as Butterfield makes a corner kick. Rickson heads the ball and with a swift movement Hernandez makes a connection in the chaos and scores.
The Bearcats finish the game 3-2 and take the 12th win of their season.
Thu., Jan. 29, 2026 you can catch the rematch between the Bearcats and the Spartans in Orcutt and look forward to joining the Bearcat fans for women’s soccer senior night on February 6, 2026.
