Late Goal-Line Stand Seals Mission Viejo Win Against Marina (2025)

Mission Viejo – Diablo Stadium (MVHS)

Marina and Mission Viejo went back and forth in a tense game 1 matchup that wasn’t decided until the final seconds. Both teams relied heavily on the passing game, with very little production on the ground.

Mission Viejo struck first in the third quarter, scoring on a deep ball for a touchdown. They went back to the same connection in the fourth, once again finding another 30-plus-yard score.

Marina’s first points came on defense when Matilda Nguyen jumped a route for a 35-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. Nguyen was everywhere on defense, finishing with two interceptions (including the pick-6) and two pass breakups.

The first half was all about the defenses, with key stops from both sides keeping the score locked at 0-0 at halftime. Marina’s offense found some late life in the fourth quarter when quarterback Delilah Meza connected with Rylee Bradley for a 20-yard gain. A costly penalty on Mission Viejo moved the Vikings into the red zone, and with under a minute to play, Alice Sheldon nearly scored from the 1-yard line but was stopped just short after some hesitation resulting in a flag pull.

With four seconds left, Marina had one last chance from the 1, but a QB run was stopped shy of the goal line, sealing Mission Viejo’s 12-6 win.

Marina will look to bounce back in their next matchup when they host El Dorado at home on Wednesday, August 13.