Rio Americano Girls Soccer Back-To-Back Section Champions

The Rio Americano girls soccer team was just too much for Antelope in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship game on Saturday.

The Raiders won 3-0, shutting down the Titans on a warm May afternoon at Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove. Rio successfully defended its and almost made it look easy.

"This means everything to us; we had to battle injuries early in the season," said Rio coach Jennifer Smiley. It was the Raiders' fourth section title in six years, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Smiley's first child, Katelyn, was born May 5, The Bee reported. Smiley, a teacher at  in Carmichael, recently received a layoff notice.

"These girls worked hard every day and they have earned this," she said.

Lizzie Moulton, who also starts for the Raiders team, appeared to be focused before the game and scored the first goal at the 13th minute of the first half.

"This is a great group of girls to play with," said Moulton, an incoming senior next season.

Rio senior team leader Alexa Heinzer scored a goal just five minutes into the second half.

"Every year we come out and people want to beat us," Heinzer said. "This year was a lot tougher with new players...but we like to work as a team."

Paige Borgogno, a freshman, scored the Raiders' third and final goal in the 11th minute of the second half.

"I was scared to be on the team but I'm just glad I could help us get the win today," she said.

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