Maybe the third time will be a charm. Forest Lake Christian's soccer team has been to the Division VI Sac-Joaquin Section Championship two years in a row.

This year will mark the third time the Falcons make the trip, after beating Capital Christian 2-1 Thursday in the semifinal match, and will give FLC a shot at hoisting the banner that has escaped its grasp, so far.

FLC kicks off against Bradshaw Christian which won its semifinal match against Le Grand 4-1.

"We want it this year," said Falcon senior Katie Shore, who played in the last two section title games and scored Thursday's game-winning goal. "In my last time, and my last shot, I want my name on a big banner saying we won sections. We're gonna do it.

"Beating Capital gives us all the confidence we need. I believe that."

The Falcons (13-9-5) were spurred by their attacking offense. After playing the majority of the season in a 4-4-2 formation, with two forwards up front, FLC switched to a 4-3-3 to keep the pressure on defenses. It worked to a 'T' against the Cougars (15-1-1), with both teams playing on each other's end of the field more and the midfielders doing the awkward job of watching. The win also avenged FLC's finals loss last year, in which the Falcons fell to the Cougars 2-1.

Katelyn Seitz made the first strike of the day, scoring a goal from 25 yards out in the second half from the right flank of the field and in front of the keeper's face. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar past Capital's goalie Ashley Graham.

Seitz almost made a similar shot five minutes later, but let it fly too far to the left the second time around.

"It was amazing," Shore said of her teammate's goal. "Totally legit goal."

With an early strike in the second half, the Falcons worked to maintain their lead without losing intensity but Capital Christian's coach one-upped FLC, switching Graham, the team's goalie, with a forward, Christina Thompson, to spark the Cougars.

It had a significant affect immediately because the Cougars scored within two minutes.

"(Graham) just brings energy," Capital Christian coach Ab Alvarez said. "We tried to create energy, a little more excitement and a little more urgency. But we just ran out of time. They hung in there, they hung in there and then they hung in there."

The Cougars' Stephanie Long sliced a kick right over keeper Morghan Pomeroy's head for Capital Chrsitian's lone score. The Cougars immediately switched goalies again to fend off any surges.

"I knew she was going to be open," Pomeroy said. "I give her props, that was a great shot."

Pomeroy didn't have to wait too long to feel a bit of redemption. Her teammate Jessica Raskin, the Central Valley Christian League MVP, did a bit of a jig and hit a bullet on goal that was shielded by the keeper. But luckily enough, Shore was standing right in the box to control the deflection, take a deep breath and shoe-in the final goal of the match.

"Katie was there and I was actually shooting, I'm not gonna lie to you," Raskin said. "The ball bounces off the goalie's knee, Katie was there and finished it. She played an amazing game. ."

Said Shore: "It was so cool. Jessica crossed it and she had a great power shot and since it was so hard that goalie reached out and she didn't have enough on it. I just had to stand there and put it right in. I had a couple of seconds to put it in. I just looked at it and said 'I am not going to miss.' "

The Falcons were backed up with a stingy defense led by Pomeroy and sweeper Jordan England. Pomeroy, who played proactively throughout the game, didn't let the ball get too close to the goal while England helped her head off many of the Cougars' efforts, cutting down on their shots on goal.

"Alaura Woody, Lindsey Engbrecht, Elyse Vierra and Jordan England all played terrific defense," FLC coach Ken Raskin said. "They all, with Morghan (Pomeroy), had a great game for us and I just wanted to make sure that's known."

FLC will face Bradshaw Christian (13-7-2) 10 a.m. Saturday at Lincoln High School in Stockton. As always, the girls are wired up for the occasion.

"That game was amazing," Jessica Raskin said. "I'm so tired, I thought my legs were going to fall off. But you know what, it's worth it to give 110 percent.

"Honestly, the team that wants it more is gonna get it. We wanted it. We needed to step up more in this area and that area, our passing, and we did it -we capitalized on it and we won. I'm so excited for the next game and I'm so excited for sections my senior year. The third time is gonna be our title (year)."

To contact Sports Writer Zuri Berry, e-mail zberry@theunion.com or call 477-4244.