The Lowell girls’ soccer team is charging into the San Francisco final yet again.
Gabriella Rustia scored three goals as the Cardinals beat Balboa on Thursday at Boxer Stadium to advance to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship game. Lowell (15-0) will face O’Connell (14-2) at Boxer Stadium in its quest for an 11th straight section title. The Cardinals beat the Bulldogs 3-2 when the two teams played April 15, the closest an Academic Athletic Association foe has played Lowell in years.
“We played them tough the first time and I thought we had a really good chance until we made a few mistakes in the end,” O’Connell coach Bob Gamino said. “If we can play our game, it should be really exciting.”
Lupe Gamez, Alyssa Goldberg, Jackie Howells and Lilliana Pedroni also scored for Lowell.
The Buccaneers finished 9-6.
San Francisco Section final
WHO: O’Connell (14-2) vs. Lowell (15-0)
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Boxer Stadium