Falcons squeak past Hillgals in a crucial PVL battle

Monet Filteau's blast from 35 yards out in the final minute of the first half was the only offense Thursday in a battle between Pioneer Valley League soccer powers in Colfax.Filteau's shot floated into the net, giving the Falcons a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Colfax inched closer to the PVL title, improving to 8-1-2 in league play and 18-1-3 overall.Placer finished the PVL slate 7-3-2 and is 13-4-3 overall heading into the playoffs.Seniors K.C. Ziebarth, Shelley Hilton and Courtney Kerstetter along with junior Sarah Castillo led a strong defensive effort for the Falcons."The defense won the game," Colfax coach Lefty Wilks said. "Every time Placer attacked, they just took care of it. Placer played good, hard soccer. It was a great game."Bradlee DeShne, Josie Ruzette, Courtney Harrison and Chanel Filteau were the offensive leaders for the Falcons.The Hillgals were led by midfielders Kayla Bush, Ali Russell and Rachel Myers. Coach Steve Cook complimented the defensive play of Laura Schoenhoff, Audrey Furlong, Kelsey Jackson and Katie Ashley.The Colfax junior varsity squad beat Placer 5-0 as Audrey Lewis had a hat trick. Ashley Tobiasz and Adrienne Van Auker added a goal apiece as the Falcons improved to 11-0 in the Pioneer Valley League.Forest Lake 1, Victory Christian 1 at Lake of the Pines - The Falcons celebrated their Central Valley Christian League title despite the tie at home.The Vikings went up 1-0 in the seventh minute of the game. Shelby Lowe knocked in a left-footed shot on a cross from Logan Burke to tie it just before halftime. The Falcons (5-0-2 Central Valley Christian League, 10-6-1 overall) out-shot the visitors 27-7 for the game. They clinched the CVCL title earlier in the week.