The Gunn Varsity Girls soccer team continued their CCS success, defeating Gilroy 2-1 in a CCS quarterfinal Saturday night. The win advances the Titans into the Final Four, with a semifinal match against Monta Vista scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30. A win advances Gunn into the Championship match.

Gunn had to travel to Gilroy for essentially a home game for the Gilroy Mustangs, but the visiting Titans were undaunted and attacked from the start. Their efforts were rewarded in the 16th minute, when back Emmiliese von Clemm served a dangerous ball into the penalty area from the right flank. Midfielder Erin Robinson took advantage of the great service by collecting the ball and striking a driven shot past the Gilroy keeper for a 1-0 lead.

Gilroy had several dangerous runs from their skilled right forward who had tremendous pace and speed in penetrating the right side. The combined efforts of defenders Diana Wise and Mariah Cannon prevented Gilroy from converting those runs into goals. Halftime ended with the Titans holding a 1-0 lead.

Gunn would double their lead in the 51 minute, when the Titans were awarded a corner kick. Eleanor Greely served a perfect ball from the left side to midfielder Kelly McKenna, who finished with a precise header into the goal.

Gilroy would halve the lead in the 68th minute, with a blistering breakaway run on the left side that forced Titan keeper Jessie Belfer to come out to challenge. Belfer forced the shot wide left, but a Mustang player making a weakside run finished the ball to spring new life for Gilroy.

With only 12 minutes left, Gilroy threw all their players into the attack to try to get the equalizer, creating anxious moments as Gunn players defended under tremendous pressure. Thanks to brave defending by midfielders Megan Clendenin, Sabina Sood, Melissa Sun and the threat of a counterattack by forward Taylor Gardiner, Gunn was able to withstand the onslaught, run out the clock and complete a 2-1 victory.

The CCS Semifinal will match the DeAnza League Champions Monta Vista versus the El Camino League Champions Gunn for a berth in the Division I Title match.