Terrific news swept through Marin County as Terra Linda High’s girls soccer team clinched its first North Coast Section title. The Trojans won 3-2 on the final kick of double overtime, a moment that’ll stick in local memory from San Rafael’s Terra Linda neighborhood to San Anselmo and Sausalito.
This win capped a wild playoff run. The team brought together a retooled defense, a shaken roster, and a determined group of players from across Marin, all chasing history in the North Bay.
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Terra Linda’s dramatic NCS title run
The game swung between heartbreak and jubilation. Terra Linda frantically defended a dangerous indirect free kick in the 100th minute, then launched a counterattack that earned a late corner.
Isabelle Rossetti’s service found its way back into the box. Daisy Ruiz tapped home the winner from inside the six-yard box, and the Terra Linda High faithful in San Rafael and beyond erupted.
Nina Iyer, who finished with a goal and an assist, described the moment as “unbelievable.” She credited teammate Seda Sankey for a crucial assist on her first-half strike.
Benicia struck first, with Cobie Nolan calmly converting a 31st-minute penalty. Terra Linda roared ahead late in the first half, but late drama in regulation pushed the match into overtime.
Moments that defined the title game
- Benicia opened the scoring on a 31st-minute penalty by Cobie Nolan.
- Terra Linda answered with a late first-half push to take a 2-1 lead.
- Nolan punched in a 73rd-minute equalizer to make it 2-2 after TL regained the advantage earlier in the half.
- The 100th minute delivered the unforgettable ending as Rossetti’s corner caromed back into play and Ruiz finished from inside the box.
- Goalkeeper JoJo Fetterman-Riggle made several key saves but was penalized in overtime for handling, setting up Benicia’s late free kick opportunity.
Terra Linda finished the season 10-8-5 and earned a berth in the State playoffs the following week. Coach Dylan Arroyo highlighted the squad’s resilience as they navigated roster turnover, injuries, and a reshuffled defense after losing all-MCAL center back Remi David.
The Trojans’ midfield earned plenty of praise. Mabry Lance acted as the “glue” that neutralized one of Benicia’s top threats, and Hailey Lauster provided steady ball movement to feed TL’s forwards.
In net, JoJo Fetterman-Riggle came up with several important saves, keeping Terra Linda in it during regulation and overtime. Her late OT misstep—a handling call—stung, but the team’s effort across the pitch showed off that signature Marin County grit from Mill Valley to Larkspur and beyond.
A coaching and player spotlight from Marin County
Arroyo has been pretty frank about the obstacles the Trojans faced this season. In a league known for turnover and tough competition, Terra Linda drew strength from a tightly connected midfield core—especially Mabry Lance and Hailey Lauster—who often controlled the tempo against opponents from Mill Valley to San Rafael.
Local supporters in Sebastopol’s shadow might not be nearby, but Marin fans from Fairfax, Novato, and Corte Madera watched as the program found new purpose. “We talked about sticking together and fighting for every ball,” Arroyo said after the win.
He emphasized how the team’s character carried them through adversity. In Marin County terms, it felt like a classic San Rafael–Novato collaboration—a reminder that a high school program can still surprise you and reach the state stage in a community’s sports calendar.
The road ahead for Marin’s champions
Advancing to the California State playoffs, Terra Linda’s story goes beyond just numbers on a scoreboard. The win sent a wave of pride through the Terra Linda neighborhood, drawing in families, fans cruising down from San Rafael, and even folks in Sausalito and Tiburon who tracked the bracket with that unmistakable Marin pride.
The 10-8-5 Trojans now carry a jolt of momentum into the postseason. That’s a rare achievement, and honestly, it’s starting to resonate across Marin’s soccer circles—including Larkspur, Corte Madera, and San Anselmo, where younger players might just look to this win as proof that perseverance and teamwork matter.
Right now, Terra Linda High is celebrating a milestone that’ll echo through Marin County sports for a while. The team didn’t just earn a banner or a quick burst of statewide attention—they showed San Rafael and all of Marin that a resilient, well-coached squad can push through turnover and injuries and still win big.
The final seconds belonged to Daisy Ruiz. But really, this chapter belongs to the entire Terra Linda community, the coaches, the families, and every town across Marin County that cheered them on all season.
Here is the source article for this story: Girls soccer: Terra Linda wins first section title on game’s last kick
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