After watching his Freedom High girls soccer team win nine in a 12-game stretch this season, head coach Paco Gonzalez said he was impressed but not surprised.

The success that the Falcons have found in Bay Valley Athletic League play could net them their first league title in girls soccer.

Freedom, which stands in a tie for first place with defending champ Heritage, hosts Pittsburg on Thursday night in the season finale. A win would give the Falcons a share of the title.

“I think they’re really excited,” Gonzalez said. “It’s something they talked about at the beginning of the year. It was one of their goals: to win league.”

Freedom (8-7-2, 6-2-1 BVAL) tried to clinch a share of the title Tuesday night, but suffered a 1-0 loss to Deer Valley. Wolverines junior forward Autumn Kish broke the scoreless tie at the 57-minute mark. Heritage and Liberty played to a 1-1 tie that night to raise Thursday’s stakes even higher.

That it took so long for Deer Valley to find the net is a testament to the Falcons’ strong defense. Gonzalez has been pleased with the efforts of his defenders, such as seniors Kathy Cook and Haley Vredenburgh as well as juniors Anna Carter and Selena Gonzalez. Freshman goalkeeper Tess Harrington has also done an outstanding job in the net.

Senior forward Catherine Carter, senior midfielder Angel Gosse, junior midfielder Mackenzie Tovani and her sister, freshman Brielynn Tovani, have contributed timely goals for the Falcons.

When senior midfielder Julie Lopez, a team captain, went down in January with a torn knee ligament, Gonzalez was impressed by the way the team rallied and kept winning.

“Everybody just stepped up,” Gonzalez said.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Heritage 59, Liberty 30

Heritage continued its quest for higher North Coast Section playoff seeding with a 59-30 victory over rival Liberty on Tuesday night. Junior Ali Ramirez led the Patriots with 14 points; junior Miranda Nelson contributed 10. Senior center Bernadette Fong was the high scorer for the Lions, netting 11 points on the night.

Heritage hosts Freedom on Friday; Liberty takes on league-leading Deer Valley.

Pittsburg 88, Freedom 46

The Pittsburg’s girls basketball team is also harboring postseason aspirations. The Pirates solidified their BVAL standing with an 88-46 win over Freedom on Tuesday night. Senior guard Alexandria Moore scored a game-high 18 points; teammates Keshia Ward and Janeek Mollique also finished in double digits. Senior center Myeshia Ward came down with a game-best 11 rebounds.

Deer Valley 89, Antioch 15

BVAL leader Deer Valley came away with an 89-15 victory over crosstown rival Antioch on Tuesday night. Senior guard Monique Mulder led the Wolverines in scoring, and Maranne Johnson, Sabrea Coleman and Tanisha Colbert also contributed double-digit scoring efforts.

– Compiled by Justin Lafferty