The Claremont High School varsity girls soccer team doesn’t have to wish anymore for a CIF Southern Section Championship. The Wolfpack simply took it by force last Saturday.

After a nearly 3-month run as one of the best teams in the nation according to MaxPreps.com, the Pack proved itself as the best team in the section by defeating Bishop Amat in the CIF-SS Division 3 Girls Soccer championship at Mission Viejo High School, 2-0.

Though Bishop Amat was in attack mode during most of the first half, the Wolfpack was still able to score first when a Taylor Fortson header off a corner kick by Laney Williams landed inside the Lancers’ goal at the 28th minute mark.

Bishop Amat would have several opportunities to score throughout the contest but the play of CHS goalie Amanda Garvin, along with defenders Ariana Holmes and Fortson prevented the Lancers from converting a shot to goal. One of Bishop Amat’s best opportunities to get on the scoreboard came toward the end of the first half when Garvin denied Lancer leading scorer April Juarez but as Garvin secured the ball, Bishop Amat’s Jamie Peters kicked the ball into the goal. The referees negated the goal, claiming that Garvin had control of the ball before the goal.

The Lancers’ other scoring attempts were either deflected by Garvin’s saves or by the goal crossbar. The shutout was Claremont’s 7th consecutive blanking of an opponent, including all 5 playoff matches.

Merin Arft extended Claremont’s lead to 2-0 early in the second half when the CHS forward scored on a goal from the left corner. The goal was assisted by Wolfpack senior Rebekah Evans.

As a result of Saturday’s win, CHS has advanced to the opening round of the CIF Division 1 State Regionals. The Pack will play Aliso Niguel on Tuesday.