In back-to-back seasons, the Menlo girls’ soccer team captured CCS Championships - this time a 1-0 victory over Crystal for the Div. IV title Saturday at Sequoia High.

It was the third meeting this season between the West Bay Athletic League foes, and the Knights won two and tied another.

In the 13th minute of Saturday’s final, senior Krista Arreola took two touches and fired in a shot to the back left of the goal after junior Jazlyn Romero slipped a “perfect” ball behind the back two defenders.

Senior Bianca Putanec recorded her eighth shutout win - and 10th shutout - of the season. She made three saves against Crystal and got a boost on defense from senior Katie Kossow.

Menlo wasn’t ready to end the season in the final, and with an automatic bid to NorCals on the line, the incentives were clear.

​From the time “we got to the field, right off the bus, I could tell everyone was really locked into their game,” Arreola said. “I think knowing that if we lost, it would be our last time together was a big part of the motivation. Our chemistry and how much we wanted it, really pushed us through the whole game.”