Wilson’s Zoie Fontenot (6) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal against Long Beach Poly in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
It was Senior Night for the Wilson girls soccer team as it celebrated before it played Long Beach Poly in a Moore League game in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Kai Fontenot (7) tries to keep the ball from Long Beach Poly’s Claire McFarland (28) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Evan Cassidy (3) keeps the ball from Long Beach Poly’s Mia Ochoa (13) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly goalie Zadie Kuykendal tries to stop a Wilson shot from going in the goal in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly’s Callista Berquist (18) and Wilson’s Evan Cassisy (3) battle for the ball in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Zoie Fontenot (6) tries to keep the ball from Long Beach Poly’s Rylee Zavala (42) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly’s Claire McFarland (28) keeps the ball from Wilson’s Malia Salonga (5) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach Poly goalie Zadie Kuykendal (8) can’t stop a penalty kick that gave Wilson a 2-0 lead in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Ella George (11) tries to keep the ball from Long Beach Poly’s Joanna Rodriguez (19) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Zoie Fontenot (6) holds off Long Beach Poly’s Kamelah Artiaga (6) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Evan Cassidy (3) tries to keep the ball ahead of Long Beach Poly’s Claire McFarland (28) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Ella George (11) and Long Beach Poly’s Joanna Rodriguez (19) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Wilson’s Evan Cassidy (3) goes for the ball over Long Beach Poly’s Claire McFarland (28) in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
Show Caption
1 of 14
Wilson’s Zoie Fontenot (6) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal against Long Beach Poly in Long Beach, CA, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
LONG BEACH — Through a scoreless first half Thursday night, the Wilson girls soccer team dominated possession and had triple the shot attempts of rival Long Beach Poly.
It was only a matter of time, Bruins coach Brian Irvin said, before his team’s relentless attack produced a goal.
It did not take long after halftime for Kai Fontenot to break through for Wilson, and her sister Zoie Fontenot provided some late insurance as the Bruins earned a 2-0 victory on their senior night.
With the victory, Wilson (9-4-2, 6-2-1) moved ahead of Poly (5-6-1, 5-3-1) in the Moore League standings and took over sole possession of second place.
Irvin said the first 40 minutes played out similar to the teams’ scoreless draw at Poly in mid-December.
“We had our chances,” Irvin said after the Bruins owned a 9-3 shot advantage — including four on goal — through one half. “All we needed was that one in the second half and then we could kind of just ease up a little bit.”
It did not take long, as Kai Fontenot deposited a goal on a shot from about 25 yards on the right corner of the box in the 43rd minute.
Poly goalkeeper Zadie Kuykendal made a valiant effort to her right and appeared to get her fingertips on the shot attempt. But the ball bounced inside the left post and trickled into the back of the net.
“(Kuykendal) did great,” Jackrabbits coach Angel Zavala said. “Zadie’s definitely turned into this amazing goalkeeper in the second portion of the season.”
Kuykendal finished with five saves, including four in the first half.
Kai Fontenot said the deflected cross that bounced her way gave her enough of a look to “whip it in” and made up for a first-half attempt in a 1-on-1 situation from point-blank range that Kuykendal kick-saved.
“I was kind of getting onto myself,” Kai Fontenot said. “I was just wanting to take every opportunity, so I was just trying to put all my effort out there. I saw an open net and I was like, ‘Might as well try to hit the goal.’”
The Bruins finished with a 14-6 advantage in shot attempts.
Poly produced just three shots on goal, but both of its first-half looks were quality opportunities.
In the 27th minute, the Jackrabbits’ Maired McGovern had the best chance after slipping past the back line for a 1-on-1 opportunity against Bruins goalkeeper Violet Corona.
The two players collided as Corona left the goal to make the save. She remained on the ground for a few minutes before being carted off with a right thigh injury.
“I think (Corona) came out brave,” Irvin said. “She put herself on the line for what’s best for the team.”
Emma Jade Garcia replaced Corona and had two saves to finish off the shut out.
Poly’s other near misses went to Joanna Rodriguez, including a pass she received inside the box from McGovern on the right side of the goal.
The shot attempt, which came just minutes after the first goal, sailed high over the crossbar.
In the 46th minute, Rodriguez had a header attempt that also sailed high off a corner kick.
“It was probably one of the best games we’ve played movement-wise,” Zavala said. “Overall, it was a great game and I’m OK with the result.
“The quality of looks I think were great — we just need to put ‘em away.”
The Jackrabbits played the final 15 minutes in scramble mode while trailing 1-0.
However, Zoie Fontenot got loose and was fouled inside the box in the 78th minute. Her penalty shot was out of the reach of Kuykendal and got under the crossbar for a commanding 2-0 lead.
“Maybe not the best placement I could have,” Zoie Fontenot joked. “But I think it was a relief and also very stressful. We were working so hard and it was a reward for our hard work this entire game. I tried to hit it as hard as I can, went straight down the middle, and thank God it went in. Our team needed that, for sure, and it was a confidence-booster but also a calm wave that helped us put this game away.”