MIA Girls Win Conference Championship 

The 2020-2021 MIA Rays girls’ soccer team faced more than COVID challenges as they set about repeating as Paradise Coast Athletic Conference champions this season. They carried the burden of living up to last year’s 18-3 squad that advanced to the regional tournament. 

On Wednesday, January 27, the Rays got down to business and shutout Donohue Catholic 2-0 to repeat as PCAC champs. First year head coach Matt Poland likes his team’s chances heading into district play.  

“Starting next week is district,” Poland said. “We have to win those games to move on to regionals. Then from regionals it’s states. The district is down a little bit this year. There are possibilities, if we come out firing, to move on. Sometimes things have to fall in your favor. We’ve been playing well as a team lately.” 

The Rays (9-5) played a solid, if unspectacular, game against Donahue (4-6-2). While Poland wasn’t elated with his team’s performance, he was pleased.  

“It wasn’t our best performance,” Poland said, ”but 2-0 in a championship game is still a great result. Any time you can win a trophy, it’s a good thing for a team. And it shows the success of the year. Good feelings about that. I’m excited for districts coming up this week.”