San Diego U-T Preps

When Rancho Buena Vista’s Danika Steele was a freshman, her team struggled. But she stuck with it and four years later she and her upset-minded teammates became champions.

The eighth-seeded Longhorns capped an amazing playoff run Saturday night by shutting out No. 2 Steele Canyon 3-0 to win the San Diego Section Division I girls soccer championship at Mesa College.

“I’m one of four seniors who stuck with it all four years,” said Steele, whose left-footed corner kick set up classmate Camille Bassett for the Longhorns’ second goal. “As a freshman it wasn’t easy, but our coaches told us to give it some time to build and build.”

While Steele battled as a freshman, this year’s rookie sensation Molly Myers needs no time to build, netting her 16th and 17th goals of the season for RBV (13-8-2).

“I’m having so much fun playing with these older girls I never get a chance to play with on my club team,” said Myers.

The Longhorns held a 21-5 shot advantage over the Cougars (15-7-8). RBV senior keeper Katie Bleck registered the shutout.