Girls soccer: Marin Catholic returns to NorCal D-IV final

The Marin Catholic High girls soccer team is catching fire at the right time — kind of like the Wildcats have done this before.

Top-seeded Marin Catholic (11-7-5) overpowered No. 4 Fresno Christian, 3-0, on Thursday in the CIF NorCal Division IV semifinal with its sixth-straight shutout victory.

The Wildcats will be going for their second NorCal D-IV championship in three seasons when they play at home on Saturday at 5 p.m. against No. 2 Twelve Bridges, which beat No. 3 Menlo School on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.

“I’m starting to get deja vu,” said Marin Catholic senior Kate Batdorf. “It was so great my sophomore year to make it to the NorCal championship, but then to finish it off my senior year going to the NorCal final as well is the most amazing feeling I’ve ever had.”

Batdorf is one of four seniors who played on the Wildcats’ 2024 NorCal championship team. Others include key defenders Lexi Ferguson and Savannah Browne, and corner-kicker extraordinaire Ava Korich.

There’s even more at stake this time around since the CIF is now offering the State championship. That means the winner of MC’s home match against Twelve Bridges from Lincoln will move on to play the Southern California champ on March 13 at 5 p.m. at Natomas High in Sacramento.

“We’re pumped,” said Marin Catholic first-year coach Elizabeth Snearly. “It’s incredible when it all comes together for girls that you see every day who are working so hard. I’m so pumped for them.”

The Wildcats have been on a tear en route to their first North Coast Section title since 2013 and a return trip to the NorCal final. MC has outscored its six playoff opponents 20-0, featuring a defense that did not allow a shot on goal until the 55th minute against Fresno.

“They’re amazing,” said coach Snearly. “Our defense has really learned the system and kept it clean.”

Marin Catholic struck quickly against Fresno Christian with a goal three minutes into the match. Korich perfectly lofted a corner kick from the left where she found Siena White for a header and a 1-0 lead.

Junior Nora Snearly showed off her speed when she tracked down a ball sent into open space by Batdorf. Snearly gathered the pass for a one-on-one against Fresno keeper Trinity Bannister and pushed the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute.

White, who will play at Georgetown next year, converted a penalty just before halftime following a handball violation by the Eagles to push the Wildcats’ cushion to 3-0. The Wildcats pummeled the Eagles with 16 shots on goal and six corner kicks.

MC 3-0 just before half. PK by White. #marinsoccer pic.twitter.com/uvqPb5O7qi

— Ian Ross (@IRossMIJ) March 6, 2026

The Wildcats’ run of six straight wins started after they lost to Tam in the first round of the MCAL playoffs. Coach Snearly said that defeat certainly marked a turning point for the team.

“I think it definitely helped us refocus,” said Snearly. “Now we’re finding more success. We’re finding the back of the net.”

With senior leadership on defense and speed up front, the Wildcats have a certain vibe that a State championship is attainable.

“They just added it this year,” said Batdorf. “I really hope we win and get to go to the State championship game.”